Medical Challenges

Nasal Fracture and Treatment Coding Challenge
| |

Nasal Fracture and Treatment Coding Challenge

The Coding Challenge Question: A 16-year-old male is seen in the ED with complaints of pain and difficulty breathing through his nose. He states he was playing basketball at his high school earlier when another player accidentally elbowed him in the mid-face area. After clinical examination, the physician diagnoses a nasal bone fracture. The nose…

Polysomnography and Sleep Apnea Coding Challenge (ICD-10-CM)
|

Polysomnography and Sleep Apnea Coding Challenge (ICD-10-CM)

The Coding Challenge Question: A 56-year-old morbidly obese female with a BMI of 50 and diabetes had a recent polysomnography. Her husband had witnessed loud snoring and pauses in her breathing during sleep. The sleep study showed an Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) of 6. She is diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.  Which of the following ICD-10-CM…

Evaluation and Management Coding Based on Time
|

Evaluation and Management Coding Based on Time

The Coding Challenge Question: An established 44-year-old male is seen at his physician’s office today for a new 3-cm lump on the left arm. The physician spends 5 minutes reviewing the patient’s chart while other qualified clinical staff takes the patient’s vitals. The physician then spends 15 minutes updating the patient’s history and performing a…

Knee Replacement Surgery Coding Challenge
| |

Knee Replacement Surgery Coding Challenge

The Coding Challenge Question: Patient with a long history of rheumatoid arthritis is admitted for a total knee replacement of both knees. The patient has significant bilateral knee joint pain, stiffness, and loss of function. Assign the CPT code(s). A. 27447, 27447-50B. 27446-50C. 27447-51D. 27487-RT, 27487-LT Answer: (more…)