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Path/Lab Coding:

Beware These Per Diem Service Lab Test Bundles

Published on Wed Oct 28, 2026

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Other Articles of

October 2026

Path/Lab Coding:
Beware These Per Diem Service Lab Test Bundles
Question: We are an independent laboratory that has been experiencing denials for our toxicology services [...]

Optometry/Ophthalmology Coding:
Should You Report 92133 and 92134 for OCT of the Optic Nerve and Retina?
Question: Our ophthalmologist ordered and performed optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the optic nerve and [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Know How to Recognize Class Findings for Nail Debridement Reimbursement
Question: A 78-year-old Medicare patient with type 2 diabetes and peripheral angiopathy presented to the [...]

Pulmonology Coding:
Build a Home Oxygen Record That Survives a Documentation Request
Plus, get to know the different qualification criteria. Home oxygen therapy remains one of the [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Face the Reality of 5 Ambient AI Documentation Myths
Who is ultimately responsible for the AI’s output? Ambient artificial intelligence (AI) is a helpful [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Find Clarity on When to Use Unlisted Procedure Code
Question: When is it appropriate to report CPT® code 64450 versus 64999? Codify Subscriber Answer: [...]

In Case You Missed It (RCI Bonus Content):
Medicare Tests ACCESS to Improve Chronic Care Through Technology
Understand this payment alternative for your chronically ill Medicare patients. On July 5,2026, Medicare began [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Identify an RS&I Code for Intraoperative Cholangiography
Question: During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgeon performed an intraoperative cholangiogram due to the patient’s [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Is an Appendectomy Considered Incidental if the Appendix Was Normal?
Question: A patient presented with intermittent right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain, mild nausea, and a [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Don’t Automatically Assign a High E/M COPA Level for Cancer Dx
Question: A patient with stage IV colon cancer presents for a follow-up, and the provider [...]

Podiatry Coding:
Pay Attention to Wound Depth When Coding Debridement Procedures
Question: A patient presented to the podiatrist with a venous-related ulcer on the left dorsal [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Quiz Yourself on These Common Breathing Issues
Accurate respiratory coding depends heavily on provider documentation. Can you tell the difference between acute [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Use These Tips to Boost Primary Care Assessment Documentation
Reframing documentation as part of clinical care can positively impact everyone. There are three pillars [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Recognize How to Report Subdermal Contraceptive Removal and Reinsertion
Question: A 28-year-old patient presented to their gynecologist for removal and replacement of a nonbiodegradable [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Code Shingles Vaccine Separately From Medicare AWV
Question: A Medicare beneficiary presents for a subsequent annual wellness visit (AWV) and asks to [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Code This Screening-Turned-Diagnostic Mammography Medicare Case
Question: A Medicare patient with no history of breast cancer presented for their annual screening [...]

Compliance:
See Encounter Templates as a Blank Page
Question: Our behavioral health practice uses templates for psychotherapy notes. During an internal audit, we [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Code All Services Correctly on TDA Revision/Replacement Coding, Part 1
Check with payer for conservative therapies they might require before surgery. To determine if a [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Age May Not Be the Only Difference Between Early-, Late-Onset Alzheimer’s
Question: What is the difference between early- and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and what are the [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Get the Answers to All Your Ethmoidectomy Questions
Know how to use ethmoidectomy combo codes correctly. You know that when medical interventions such [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Count the Views — Not the Images — to Bill X-Rays Correctly
Question: A patient presented to urgent care with a fever of 101.2 degrees Fahrenheit (F), [...]

General Coding:
Better Capture CCM to Get Paid for the Work
A workflow adjustment can pull in the chronic care management revenue practices already earn. Independent [...]

Diagnostic Radiology Coding:
Recognize Accurate 3D Rendering Documentation to Report 76376 and 76377
Find out which procedures include 3D rendering. The 3D rendering CPT® codes took effect Jan. [...]

Practice Management:
Build a Measles Response Plan Around Airborne Precautions
Question: Public health officials have confirmed community spread of measles in our region. Should our [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Beware Bundled Services When Coding Inhalation Tx
Question: Encounter notes indicate that the emergency department (ED) physician performed therapeutic nonpressurized inhalation treatment [...]

E/M Coding:
Assess Risk With Confidence on Your E/M Claims
Learn why documentation matters when coding based on risk assessment. In this final installment of [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Learn How to Report Pessary Device Supply
Question: A 68-year-old patient with stage 3 apical pelvic organ prolapse presented with pelvic pressure [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Code Infective Endocarditis Symptoms Unless Diagnosis Confirmed
Question: An established patient with a prosthetic aortic valve sees the cardiologist 10 days after [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Beware Bundling Cochlear Implants With These Procedures
Question: I could use some help in billing for cochlear implants, specifically what a complete [...]

General Surgery Coding:
Code Central Venous Access From Insertion Through Removal
Find out if guidewire use implies a catheter exchange. Central venous access coding depends on [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Strengthen Documentation in Your Ortho Practice
By following these expert tips, you can help protect your office against denials. From overreported [...]

Practice Management:
Make Sure Each Patient in Family Is Registered for Their Group Flu-Shot Visit
Question: A family of five wants to come to our office together for influenza vaccinations. [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Code the Residual Scar Before the Healed Burn
Question: A patient sustained a second-degree skin burn of the right forearm several years ago. [...]

Cardiology Coding:
Choose the Right Codes for an Initial Pectus Excavatum Evaluation
Question: A 16-year-old patient is referred to a cardiologist for an initial evaluation of pectus [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Understand What’s in the Healthcare Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act
Build better healthcare protection with this bipartisan bill. On Sept. 30, the U.S. Senate unanimously [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Know Who Can, and Who Cannot, Bill for Lab Draws
Question: Our clinic laboratory draw station receives laboratory orders from an outside provider. The phlebotomist [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Learn New Sleep Study Codes to Stay Sharp in 2027
Question: I know that CPT® 2027 will include new and revised codes for autonomic nerve [...]

Technology & Innovation in Healthcare:
Use AI to Approve and Renew Prescriptions
Question: We have several prescription renewal requests come in each week for patients with chronic [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Choose Initial Nursing Facility Care for a PCP’s First SNF Visit
Question: Our primary care physician (PCP) sees an established 79-year-old patient in the office for [...]

Urology Coding:
Don’t Overcode When a Combination Code Is a Better Choice
Question: A 61-year-old patient with recurrent nephrolithiasis presented to the urologist with acute left flank [...]

General Coding:
Look to a Modifier For This Unanticipated Skin-Tag Removal
Question: An established patient presents to a primary care office with worsening right knee pain [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Don’t Mix up Brackets and Parentheses in ICD-10-CM Entries
Question: I’m new to coding and have noticed that both brackets and parentheses are used [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Know When Imaging Guidance Is Included
Question: I have a report for a paracentesis procedure performed on a 58-year-old patient. The [...]

Compliance:
Make Sure Dermatology Procedure Notes Support the Claim
Question: Our dermatologist evaluates a patient with several rough, scaly lesions on their face and [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Nerve System Function Test Codes Get Major Overhaul in CPT® 2027
New code set makes test coding far more specific. The AMA has announced the final [...]

Otolaryngology Coding:
Understand Nasal Anatomy to Correctly Code This Closed Treatment Encounter
Question: The operative report states: “Asch forceps were used to medialize the septum from the [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Understand Annular Defect Coding
Question: My provider documented an intervertebral annulus fibrosis defect in the lumbar region. I cannot [...]

Primary Care Coding:
Don’t Report a Suspected Intolerance
Question: A 42-year-old established patient returns to the primary care office for an in-person follow-up [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Get Full Credit for Independent Imaging Interpretations
Question: My pediatrician independently reviewed MRI images after the radiologist issued a report. Can that [...]

E/M Coding:
Justify a Higher E/M Level Based on Notes Alone
Question: Our practice sees many student athletes with sprains and other sports-related injuries. Even though [...]

General Coding:
Establish Your Procedure Coding Selection Workflow
Question: As a recently credentialed coder, I’m familiar with how to look up codes generally, [...]

Urology Coding:
Examine This Epididymitis Coding Case
Question: A patient presented to the urologist with complaints of pain while urinating, pain in [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Mend Your Misunderstanding of Multiple Myeloma Coding, Part 2
ICD-10-CM leaves questions about MM remission, personal history, relapse, and metastasis unanswered. Last month, we [...]

Oncology/Hematology Coding:
Code for Injection, Not Puncture, in This Intrathecal Chemo Scenario
Question: How would you code this note? Ommaya reservoir was accessed with a 25-gauge butterfly, [...]

Pediatric Coding:
Learn Key Terms for Accurate Otitis Media Coding
Question: I’m relatively new to coding. When my pediatrician diagnoses a patient using terms like, [...]

Emergency Department Coding:
Identify Incision to Slice Your FBR Coding Choices Down
Question: I have an operative report stating that the emergency department (ED) physician performed foreign [...]

Neurosurgery Coding:
Remember to Choose Different Codes for Array Implant With MER
Question: A 72-year-old patient reports with suspected essential tremor. Encounter notes indicate that the condition interferes [...]

E/M Coding:
Report Minor Procedures and Modifier 25 Correctly
Question: Do I need to append modifier 25 every time I report an evaluation and [...]

Neurology & Pain Management Coding:
Know Test Purpose to Differentiate PET, CT, MRI
Question: Our neurology practice performs positron emission tomographic (PET) scans, as well as CTs and [...]

Ob-Gyn Coding:
Learn How to Code Maternity Services That Bridge 2026 and 2027
Should you wait to code prenatal visits until December 31? The AMA has announced massive [...]

Anesthesia Coding:
Find the Right Code and Modifier for a Routine Screening Colonoscopy
Question: How do I code the anesthesia services involved for a 52-year-old healthy patient undergoing [...]

Gastroenterology Coding:
Understand What ‘Multiple’ Means in Descriptor for 43239
Question: If a gastroenterologist performs an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsies at multiple sites, does that [...]

Compliance:
When Screening Comes With a Bill: Navigating Supplemental Breast Imaging Coverage, Part 2
Thread the needle on your responsibility to patients — and compliance. Claim accuracy and patient [...]

Orthopedic Coding:
Choose the Right Codes for a Repeat Achilles Rupture
Question: The notes indicate that the patient previously ruptured their left Achilles tendon five years ago [...]

Medicare Regulations:
Fight Back Against Glucose Monitoring Supply Denials
Question: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated readers on the latest improper [...]

ICD-10-CM Coding:
Know the Guidelines for Reporting Chronic Conditions, Part 2
Dive deeper into exploring when stable chronic conditions belong on the claim. Coders may have [...]

Path/Lab Coding:
Know These 4 ‘Ps’ for Precision Drug Test Coding
Beware of Medicare’s definitive drug testing codes. Purpose, procedure, payer, and proof — align these [...]

Practice Management:
Design Effective, Ongoing Healthcare Compliance Training, Part 2
Hint: Prioritize sustainability in your approach. An effective and strong healthcare compliance curriculum is a [...]

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