Chandra

Chandra Stephenson

About Chandra Stephenson

Chandra Stephenson, CPC, CIC, COC, CPB, CPCO, CPMA, CPPM, CRC, CPC-I, CCS, CANPC, CCC, CEMC, CFPC, CGSC, CIMC, COBGC, COSC CCO Program Director, has over 13 years coding and auditing experience and holds many certifications through the AAPC and AHIMA. She is a National ICD-10 Trainer for AAPC and served as a representative for the Great Lakes Region on the AAPC’s 2013-2015 National Advisory Board. She offers extensive experience in centralized billing, family practice, cardiology, GI, mental health, anesthesia, and multi-specialty environments. She has worked as an adjunct college instructor in medical coding, a compliance auditor for one of the largest healthcare systems in Indiana, and as a Big 5 consultant. She is currently an independent consultant and enjoys teaching and finding ways to simplify the world of coding accuracy and education.
21 Oct, 2016

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Coding

Q: “Can you cover abdominal aortic aneurysm repair coding?” A: Absolutely. When we talk about abdominal aortic aneurysms and the repairs, we’re talking about CPT codes and we need to start out by talking about what is an abdominal aortic aneurysm? The aorta runs the entire length of the thoracic and

5 Oct, 2016

Coding Hypertension Controlled vs. Uncontrolled

Q: “How do you make a distinction between controlled and uncontrolled hypertension?” A: The simple answer to this is your physicians or the documentation that you’re reviewing should clearly indicate whether the patient is hypertension is controlled or uncontrolled. Typically, we assume and we’re taught to assume from a coding perspective

28 Sep, 2016

Coding Alcohol and Smoking Dependence vs. Severe Use Disorder

Q: “Can you code Dependence say for Alcohol if the provider states it as Alcohol Use Disorder-Severe? Since it does not say dependence but the provider says he is going by the DSM-V and it is dependence and they are not going to change the wording.” That was the first question.

26 Sep, 2016

Sequencing of Codes: Depression and Suicidal Ideation Codes

Q: “I have a question about depression and suicidal ideation. Should I code depression first and then suicide?” A: That’s a great question. When we start looking at the ICD 10 guidelines, funny enough, there is not a specific directive as to which one has to go first. If you look

21 Sep, 2016

Wound Care and Laceration Repairs | CPT Coding Tips

Q: Wound Care and Laceration Repairs — “Could you do some scenarios with wound care at the next webinar? I am noticing a lot of those type questions on the CPC practice exams and am weak in that area. For example, an 11 year old girl fell from a chair and

11 Sep, 2016

How To Locate ECodes — The Best Way to Learn

Q: How to Locate Ecodes — “What is the best way to ‘learn’ how to locate E codes?” A: I think they’re talking about ICD-9 here because they did a follow-up saying something about injuries. When we talk about E codes, we’ve talking about E codes for years. We’ve been in

3 Sep, 2016

Coding Cast & X-ray Application During Post-op | Medical Coding Tips

Q: Cast & X-ray Application - “When coding for application of a cast, cast supplies, & x-ray, during post op would we append the 58-mod to the application of the cast?” A: I don’t think so. Chandra: Not typically, because typically they only bundle the first one that’s done the same

5 Aug, 2016

When to Use HIV code and AIDS code? | Medical Coding Training

Q: “What is the difference between AIDS and HIV? How do I know when to use the AIDS code (B20) instead of the HIV code (Z21)? What role, if any, do ‘Opportunistic Infections’ play?” A: This is actually a common question that I have seen not only in my students, but