Coding Training Plans

ICD-10-CM is a standardized classification system of diagnosis codes that represent conditions and diseases, related health problems, abnormal findings, signs and symptoms, injuries, external causes of injuries and diseases, and social circumstances. This training plan goes in-depth with advanced ICD-10-CM coding.

CPT codes are used to describe tests, surgeries, evaluations, and any other medical procedure performed by a healthcare provider on a patient. This course goes in-depth with advanced CPT coding.

This training plan focuses on respiratory diseases of pneumonia and respiratory failure and includes discussion of relation to asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer.  The different types of pneumonia and the clinical indicators for pneumonia and respiratory diagnoses are discussed in detail as well as treatments. Coders will learn official coding and sequencing advice as well as the common coding pitfalls associated with these respiratory diagnoses.

For ICD-10-CM, there are very detailed and specific issues that occur during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium. For ICD-10-PCS, a coder must know what is included in the terminology of products of conception (POC). The POC include all components of pregnancy, including the fetus, embryo, amnion, umbilical cord, and the placenta. Coders will learn all about both in this training plan.

According to the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set (UHDDS) for inpatient coding, “Secondary diagnoses are 'conditions that coexist at the time of admission, that develop subsequently, or that affect the treatment received and/or length of stay. Diagnoses that relate to an earlier episode which have no bearing on the current inpatient admission should be excluded." Coders will learn when and when not to report secondary diagnosis codes. 

This training plan focuses on common orthopedic procedures in ICD-10-PCS such traumatic fracture repairs, clubfoot corrections, hip and knee replacements, Nuss procedure, toe amputation and spinal fusion procedures. A description of how each procedure is done helps the coder understand anatomy, clinical and technical components and how to assign the correct codes. Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting in ICD-10-PCS are also reviewed if applicable. 

This training plan focuses on common cardiovascular procedures in ICD-10-PCS such as cardiac catheterization, EPS ablations, AAA endografts, congenital heart defect repairs, heart valve repairs, pacemaker and Impella procedures. A description of how each procedure is done helps the coder understand anatomy, clinical and technical components and how to assign the correct codes. Photos and videos also help in understanding these procedures. OCG that impact these procedures are discussed.

Interventional radiology (IR) coding is probably one of the most feared areas in coding. However, once a coder has a basic understanding of how the IR codes are designed, this knowledge can be built upon to learn the complexity of all the different areas of IR coding. This training plan will help the coder be more comfortable with IR Coding.

In this training plan, a meticulous review of various types of bariatric surgeries aimed at treating morbid obesity will be conducted. The curriculum encompasses detailed descriptions and vivid photographs of each initial and revision procedure, facilitating a deeper understanding for coders on how these surgeries, including gastric bypass, are performed. Supplementing the descriptions, operative notes are utilized to enrich the learning experience, allowing for the accurate assignment of the appropriate ICD-10-PCS codes. In addition to the initial surgeries, the course also extensively covers revision surgeries, incorporating a range of descriptive materials such as photos and videos, thus ensuring coders grasp the nuanced intricacies involved in each procedure.

This training plan focuses on congenital heart disorders, with an emphasis on mastering the ICD codes relevant to various heart failures and understanding the intricate guidelines and clinics that inform coding practices. The curriculum covers clinical aspects such as symptomology and treatment, alongside procedural nuances, focusing on conditions like Pulmonary Artery Stenosis and Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), as well as complex cases like Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Detailed instruction is provided on choosing accurate procedure codes, differentiating between current and historical diagnosis codes, and coding specialized procedures like the Bi-directional Glenn procedure.

ICD-10-PCS is a classification system which is used for coding procedures and services provided in the inpatient setting of hospitals. This training plan goes in-depth with advanced ICD-10-PCS coding.

Professional fee, or Profee, refers to coding and billing the physician side of a patient encounter. Profee coding covers the work performed by the provider and the reimbursement they will receive for the medical services performed. Evaluation and management codes, often referred to as E&M codes, E/M codes or E and M codes coding involves use of CPT codes ranging from 99202 to 99499. This training plan goes in-depth with advanced Profee and E/M coding.

This training plan focuses on common respiratory procedures in CPT and ICD-10-PCS. A description of how each procedure is done helps the coder understand anatomy, clinical and technical components and how to assign the correct codes. NCCI edits that impact the reporting of the respiratory CPT codes are included and discussed.

This training plan will go over the most common causes of spinal surgery/fusions. If coders do not know what the diagnoses are it will be very difficult to know what to report for both ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS. There are multiple Coding Clinics available with guidance for both diagnoses and procedure reporting. Coders will walk away with a much better understanding of spinal fusion and the associated procedures. 

Coders are familiar with coding guidelines that provide instructions to ensure coding and reporting is accurate and consistent. However, sometimes choosing the principal diagnosis can be challenging even with knowledge of the coding guidelines. In this course the selection of principal diagnosis is discussed in depth. Various courses address various problematic areas of principal diagnosis selection.  One course has practice scenarios in which the coder tests their knowledge of principal diagnosis selection.

This training plan focuses on common orthopedic procedures in CPT such as bunion, knee, shoulder and spinal fusion procedures. A description of how each procedure is done helps the coder understand anatomy, clinical and technical components and how to assign the correct codes. NCCI edits that impact the reporting of these CPT codes are included and discussed.

This training plan focuses on common cardiovascular procedures in CPT such as cardiac catheterization, EPS ablations, AAA endografts, pacemaker and defibrillator procedures. A description of how each procedure is done helps the coder understand anatomy, clinical and technical components and how to assign the correct codes. Photos and videos also help in understanding these procedures. NCCI edits that impact the reporting of these CPT codes are included and discussed.

This training plan covers the intricacies of telehealth and telemedicine coding and billing, with a focus on CPT professional fees and ancillary staff coding during the COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses relaxed requirements specific to this period while also discussing essential definitions and documentation requirements.

In this training plan, coders get a comprehensive education in external cause coding, covering the fundamentals such as indexing, tabular references, and various external cause types, including a detailed exploration of the "IPAS" framework. Once the foundational course is completed, coders are well-prepared to tackle more specialized areas, such as indexing transport accident external cause codes, ensuring accurate selections. The series also clarifies the distinction between external cause complications and misadventures or adverse incidents, using practical examples to solidify these concepts. Collectively, these courses provide coders with a comprehensive and structured approach to mastering external cause coding, from basics to specialized topics, enhancing their proficiency in this critical field.

In this training plan, coders get an in-depth exploration of myocardial infarction, covering its pathophysiology and classification based on the 2007 standardized definition. It places significant focus on diagnostic tools for accurate identification and discusses treatment options. Additionally, the training plan emphasizes the coding changes for myocardial infarction using ICD-10-CM, along with the review of relevant guidelines and Coding Clinics.