CPT code might improve CAC measurement

Imaging device maker Nanox reports that the American Medical Association issued a new Category III Current Procedural Terminology code for quantitative computed tomography tissue characterization that becomes effective July 1. The code might enable greater use of the company's artificial intelligence product for assessing coronary artery calcium in CT scans.Full Story: Diagnostic Imaging (1/12) 

Care for Caregivers: Cashing in the Data Currency

A previous Journal of AHIMA article, Care for Caregivers: Laying the Foundation for the Data Currency, presented a data model that enables effective data storage and data management for assessing caregiver needs. In this new Journal of AHIMA article, we define the key questions that the data stored in the caregiver data model will help answer, and how it can play a pivotal role in defining a 360-degree view of the caregiver. Read the article.

The Evolution of ICD-11 Webinar Series

Explore the future of medical coding and build your knowledge of ICD-11 in this free, on-demand webinar series. Learning outcomes include being able to define the content model and break down the use and value of ICD-11 resources. Attendees will also learn how to compare the Foundation to Linearization, outline the ICD-11 MMS coding scheme and summarize its key features, and more. Learn more.

Podcast: Best Practice Standards for CDI

On this episode of the HI Pitch podcast, Tammy Combs, RN, MSN, CCS, CCDS, CDIP, CNE, an AHIMA practice director and co-author of a new AHIMA clinical documentation integrity (CDI) practice brief, dives deep into best practices relating to prospective reviews. She also discusses how to recognize the difference between documentation alerts designed to influence a provider’s documentation versus a clinical alert for clinical decision-making at the time of charting. Listen now.

Supreme Court divided over Medicaid reimbursement case

The US Supreme Court justices appeared divided during arguments over whether state Medicaid programs can recover costs for future medical expenses when a beneficiary reaches a settlement with a third party responsible for an injury. Florida is pursuing such reimbursement in the case before the high court, which scrutinized the statutory definition of "payment for medical care."Full Story: SCOTUSblog (1/11) 

FCC proposes stricter data breach reporting requirements

The Federal Communications Commission might update data breach reporting rules to require that companies disclose accidental breaches; the update might also remove the one-week waiting period for notifying customers. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said she supports protecting people against larger and more frequent incidents.Full Story: Engadget (1/12) 

Medicare limits coverage of costly Alzheimer's drug

The CMS announced that it will limit coverage of Biogen's costly Alzheimer's disease drug Aduhelm to patients enrolled in approved randomized clinical trials. "While there may be the potential for promise with this treatment, there's also the potential for serious harm to patients," CMS Chief Medical Officer Lee Fleisher said, though Biogen said the decision "will exclude almost all patients who may benefit."Full Story: Reuters (1/12),  The New York

FROM AHIMA:

Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Excision and Resection By Karen S. Scott, MEd, RHIA, CCS-P, CPC

What is the Ultimate Test in Determining Whether a Query is Leading?by  Cesar M Limjoco, MD

Four New Codes for 'Whooshing' by Joyce Cohen