Tuesday, December 8, 2009

How often are the CCI edits updated?

Question: How often are the CCI edits updated?

Answer : The CCI edits (Source http://www.supercoder.com/coding-tools/cci-edits-checker/ ) are usually updated on a quarterly basis. Note that the CCI edits are included in the Outpatient Code Editor (OCE). Under the hospital OPPS, the CCI edits are always one version behind.

How should modifier "-25" be reported under the CCI?

Question: How should modifier "-25" be reported under the CCI?

Answer : Modifier "-25" should be appended to an evaluation and management (E/M) code when reported with another procedure on the same day of service. Appending modifier -25 to the E/M code indicates to the carriers or fiscal intermediaries that as a result of the patient's condition, the physician performed a significant, separately identifiable E/M service above and beyond the other service provided.

Where can I find information about the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) in the Medicare manuals?

Question: Where can I find information about the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) ( Source http://www.supercoder.com/coding-tools/cci-edits-checker/ ) in the Medicare manuals?

Answer : Information about CCI can be found in Section 20.9 of Chapter 23 of the Medicare Claims Manual http://www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/

What's the difference between the Outpatient Code Editor edits and the CCI edits?

Question: What's the difference between the Outpatient Code Editor edits and the CCI edits?

Answer : The OCE edits and the CCI edits are two editing systems used to process fiscal intermediary (hospital outpatient) and carrier-related claims, respectively. The CCI edits are developed based on coding conventions defined in the AMA's CPT Manual, current standards of medical and surgical coding practice, input from specialty societies, and based on analysis of current coding practice. The CCI edits are used for carrier processing of physician services under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule while the OCE edits are used by intermediaries for processing hospital outpatient services under the Hospital OPPS.

The OCE is used in processing OPPS claims. Within the OCE are over 50 OCE edits, which determine whether a specific code is payable under the hospital OPPS. Many of the CCI edits are included in the OCE edits (see edit #19, 20, 39, and 40 below). The OCE edits are used exclusively under the hospital OPPS - they are not used within the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
Fanimation Fans

The CCI edits (Source http://www.supercoder.com/coding-tools/cci-edits-checker/ ) always consist of pairs of HCPCS codes, and are arranged in two tables. One is the column 1/column 2 correct coding edits table, and the other is known as the mutually exclusive edits table. The OCE edits are arranged in numerical order with descriptions for each edit, as well as a claim disposition for each edit. Examples of OCE edits are listed below. For further information on the latest OCE edits within the hospital OPPS, please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Manuals/ to find the latest transmittal (program memorandum) on the OCE.

How often will the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits be updated for FIs?

Question: How often will the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits be updated for FIs?

Answer : CCI edits are updated on a quarterly basis and CCI edits in the OCE are always one quarter behind the Carrier CCI edits .