Learn How to Code
Good news for medical coders—there are no new, deleted, or revised diagnosis codes in the April 2026 update to the ICD-10-CM for fiscal year 2026. But before you relax… there’s a catch. While the codes themselves remain unchanged, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has introduced important instructional note changes that can directly impact … Read more
Medical coders and billers must stay updated with coding changes to ensure accurate claims submission and proper reimbursement. The April 2026 quarterly update to the HCPCS Level II code set introduces several important changes that affect coding, billing, and payment policies. These updates are part of revisions to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule database and … Read more
When coding angiography procedures, you must clearly understand three important things from the medical documentation. 1. Site of Access (Where the Doctor Started) The access site is the location where the doctor inserts the needle or catheter to begin the procedure. Common access sites include: Femoral artery (groin) Brachial artery (arm) Radial artery (wrist) Jugular … Read more
Understanding vascular angiography coding is essential for medical coders working in interventional radiology (IR). The coding process often depends on identifying vascular families, catheter placement levels, and imaging components. Because CPT guidelines change frequently, coders must stay updated to ensure accurate billing and compliance. This guide explains vascular families, catheter selection hierarchy, and current CPT … Read more
Vascular angiography coding is one of the most complex areas in Current Procedural Terminology (CPT). Many beginners in Medical Coding struggle with understanding the terminology used in Vascular Angiography and Interventional Radiology reports. Because coding guidelines are updated frequently by organizations like the American Medical Association, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, American College of … Read more
Understanding toxic effects coding in ICD-10-CM is essential for accurate medical documentation, proper reimbursement, and compliance with healthcare coding standards. Toxic exposure cases—such as exposure to chemicals, metals, gases, alcohol, or environmental toxins—are frequently encountered in hospitals and emergency departments. This detailed guide explains ICD-10-CM toxic effect codes (T51–T65), sequencing rules, intent classification, and the … Read more
Accurate coding of poisoning, adverse effects, toxic effects, and underdosing is one of the most important and frequently tested topics in ICD-10-CM medical coding. Many medical coders struggle to correctly identify when a condition should be coded as poisoning vs adverse effect, and how to apply T36–T65 codes with the correct intent and sequencing rules. … Read more
Burn injuries are among the most complex conditions to code accurately in ICD-10-CM medical coding. One critical concept every medical coder must understand is the extent of burn, which determines how much of the body surface is affected and how severe the injury is. Correctly reporting the extent of burn using ICD-10 codes T31 and … Read more
Understanding ICD-10 seventh character values is essential for accurate burn and corrosion coding. Many medical coders struggle with when to use A (Initial Encounter), D (Subsequent Encounter), and S (Sequela). Applying the wrong seventh character can lead to claim denials, coding errors, and compliance issues. In ICD-10-CM, burn and corrosion codes from T20–T28 require a … Read more
Accurate ICD-10 burn coding is essential for medical coders, healthcare providers, and billing professionals. Proper sequencing of burn and corrosion codes ensures correct claim submission, proper reimbursement, and compliance with ICD-10-CM guidelines. Burn injuries often involve multiple anatomical sites and different degrees of severity, making coding complex. Understanding the correct sequencing rules for burns and … Read more