Coding Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Coding and links to relevant pages within the course.
Learn more about laboratory continuing education for medical technologists to earn CE credit for AMT, ASCP, NCA, and state license renewal and recertification. Or get information about laboratory safety and compliance courses that deliver cost-effective OSHA safety training and continuing education to your laboratory's employees.
| Normal Chromosome 16 Chromosome 16 contains the genetic codes for the zeta and alpha hemoglobin chains.Each chromosome has two loci alpha chains 1 and 2. This equals a total of four loci of material coding for the alpha hemoglobin chain. See the image for a visual representation of these loci.In the genotypic notation of alpha thalassemia an "" represents the presence of an alpha locus. A "-" represents a deletion of a locus.The notation for the normal number of alpha loci is /. The amount of Hb A produced by this normal gene is 97-98 %.(drawing modified from Harmening, 1999) | View Page |
| Which one of the following statements about bar coding is false: | View Page |
| CPT 4 codes: | View Page |
| What is the name of the substitution nucleic acid alteration that causes a coding for a different amino acid? | View Page |
| Spread of Infection (1) The proviral DNA provides genetic coding that instructs cellular enzymes to construct new HIV genomes, capsid proteins, and reverse transcriptase molecules.All of these are assembled near the edge of the host cell. | View Page |
| American Society for Clinical Laboratory ScienceThe American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, ASCLS, joins the leadership effort to prevent medical errors and increase patient safety. | View Page |
| Coding CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are used to describe specific tests or services.
The amount of payment for a test is dependent on the CPT code.
It is against the law to use the wrong CPT code for a test for the purpose of causing or increasing payment for a test.
ICD-9CM (International Classification of Disease, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification) codes are used to classify diseases and conditions, and describe signs, symptoms and medical circumstances.
ICD-9CM codes are used to indicate the medical necessity of a particular test.
It is against the law to use the wrong ICD-9CM code for the purpose of causing or increasing payment for a test.
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| Physician notices and acknowledgements Notices to physicians must be sent by the laboratory to its customers once each year.
Notices remind physicians about Medicare rules and regulations.
Notices include summaries of laboratory test ordering policies, requisition use, CPT coding and ICD coding.
Physician acknowledgements must be signed by any physician who wants to create a custom panel, profile or reflex test.
This is the only way a special panel or profile may be performed by the laboratory.
The physician must order tests individually when there is no physician acknowledgement signed.
The laboratory must renew physician acknowledgements at least annually.
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| HCPCS and CPT coding The HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration) Common Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) and the CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes are used to describe specific tests or services.
The amount of payment for a test is dependent on the HCPCS or CPT code.
HCPCS or CPT codes should be assigned under the supervision of the laboratory technical staff.
Billing department employees should never change a HCPCS or CPT code without the approval of a manager or compliance officer.
If a billing department clerk notices that a particular HCPCS or CPT code is being rejected by a payer they should report it to their manager.
It is against the law to use the wrong HCPCS or CPT code for the purpose of causing or increasing payment for a test.
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| ICD-9CM coding ICD-9CM (International Classification of Disease, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification) codes are used for the classification of disease and conditions and for describing signs, symptoms and medical circumstances.These codes are used to indicate the medical necessity of a particular test.ICD-9 codes can only be supplied by the ordering physician or a representative of that physician.
"Code steering" means to steer or direct a physician to supply an ICD-9 code that is payable.
ICD-9 codes cannot be used from a previous laboratory order.
If a physician supplies a narrative description instead of an ICD-9 code the laboratory must accurately translate that code using only certified coders.It is against the law to use the wrong ICD-9 code for the purpose of causing or increasing payment for a test. | View Page |