What are National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Edits and How to Use them?

national correct coding initiative
Understanding the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Edits is an essential aspect of medical billing. NCCI was created to promote national correct coding methodologies and prevent improper payments. These edits are designed to ensure that claims submitted to Medicare and Medicaid are accurate and medically necessary. In this article, we’ll discuss what NCCI edits are and how to effectively use them in your medical practice.

What are NCCI Edits?

The National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Edits is a set of coding guidelines used to determine the appropriate billing and coding procedures for medical procedures. The guidelines were created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to prevent improper payments and reduce billing errors. NCCI edits work by pairing specific healthcare services and procedures that are not typically performed together for a single patient encounter because they are either mutually exclusive or incidental to one another.  By using the NCCI edits, medical billing companies can identify and correct these types of errors before submitting claims. The NCCI edits are specially designed to reduce the number of unnecessary services performed and ensure that only the most appropriate procedures are billed.  

Basics of NCCI Edits 

The NCCI edits are a set of rules that are used to determine which codes can be billed together and which cannot. The edits are divided into two categories: Column One/Column Two Correct Coding Edits and Mutually Exclusive Edits. Column One/Column Two Correct Coding Edits identify codes that should not be billed together under any circumstances. The Mutually Exclusive Edits identify codes that are typically performed during the same encounter and, as a result, should not be billed together.

How to Use NCCI Edits?

Medical billers and coders must examine NCCI edits and spot coding error edits before filing a claim if NCCI edits are to be used. Identifying which codes require checking is the first step. NCCI edits should be used when submitting claims, and medical billers and coders should be aware of them. Examining the NCCI Policy Manual will enable them to do this. The NCCI edits are available on the CMS website and are updated often.   Once they have decided which codes need a second look, they can use an NCCI edit checker to see if they can be billed jointly.It is not permitted to bill a procedure or service that is part of the NCCI guidelines alongside another procedure or service. The biller or coder must then decide which code is the most appropriate and make sure it is not matched with another code in the NCCI changes. Codes that are normally thought of as mutually incompatible may occasionally be billed together. In these situations, it’s critical to present evidence that the services being rendered are medically necessary.   For example, if a patient has a wound that needs to be cleaned and dressed, the medical professional cannot bill for both services separately. Instead, they should use the appropriate code that combines both services, as outlined in the NCCI edits.   NCCI edits can also be used to identify unbundled services. Unbundled services are medical procedures that are billed separately, but should be billed together as a single service. By using NCCI edits, medical billers, and coders can ensure that all procedures are accurately billed and reduce the risk of improper payments.

What are the types of NCCI edits?

NCCI edits consist of two types: Procedure-to-Procedure (PTP) edits and Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs).

Procedure-to-Procedure (PTP)  

PTP edits identify code pairs that should not be reported together on the same day for the same patient, by the same provider. 

Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs)

Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs)are units-of-service edits that limit the number of times a particular code can be billed for a single patient on a single day or across multiple days.  

Benefits of Using NCCI Edits

Using NCCI edits can provide several benefits for medical billing companies. 

Reduce the risk of improper payments

NCCI edits can help to reduce the risk of improper payments and potential audits. By identifying coding errors before submitting a claim, you can avoid having to repay Medicare or Medicaid for services that were incorrectly billed.

reduce the number of denied claims

 using NCCI edits can help improve your overall billing process. By identifying coding errors early on, you can correct them before they become a larger issue. This can help reduce the number of denied claims and improve your revenue cycle.

reduce the risk of audits and investigations

In addition to preventing denials and rejections, using NCCI edits can also reduce the risk of audits and investigations by CMS. If a medical practice consistently bills incorrectly or inappropriately, it may be subject to audits or investigations, which can be time-consuming and costly.

how to effectively use NCCI edits in your medical practice

Understand the Basics of NCCI Edits:

To use NCCI edits properly, it’s important to understand the basics. Familiarize yourself with the different types of NCCI edits and how they work.

Stay Up-to-Date with NCCI Edits: 

NCCI edits are updated regularly, so it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest changes. Check the CMS website regularly for updates and changes to NCCI edits.

Use NCCI Edits in Conjunction with Other Coding Guidelines:

 NCCI edits are just one tool for ensuring accurate medical billing and coding. Use them in conjunction with other coding guidelines, such as the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codebook and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codebook.  

Train Your Staff on NCCI Edits:

 Ensure that your staff is trained on NCCI edits and understands how to use them effectively. This will help ensure accurate medical billing and coding and reduce the risk of improper payments.

Utilize NCCI Edits in Your Claims Processing System:

 Incorporate NCCI edits into your claims processing system to help identify code combinations that should not be reported together. This can help ensure accurate reimbursement and reduce the risk of improper payments.   Looking for a reliable and efficient company to help you navigate the world of National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Edits? Look no further than ZEE Medical Billing Services. It specializes in providing top-notch NCCI Edits services to help healthcare providers and billing professionals stay compliant with coding guidelines and maximize their reimbursements. With its extensive experience and deep understanding of NCCI Edits, you can trust ZEE Medical Billing Services to help you streamline your billing process, minimize errors, and ensure maximum reimbursement. Contact us today to learn more about our NCCI Edits services and how we can help your organization thrive.