Released on June 5, 2026, the ICD-10-CM update includes 190 new codes, 30 deleted codes, and four revised codes. While these changes take effect on October 1, 2026, they are considered part of the FY 2027 ICD-10-CM update because the code set follows the federal fiscal year publication cycle.

In today’s episode, Terry breaks down some of the most notable additions and revisions, explains what healthcare professionals need to know before implementation, and shares practical insights on how these updates may impact coding and documentation. As a bonus, Terry also addresses a telehealth question that continues to generate confusion and discussion across the industry.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

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A growing concern among auditors, coders, and compliance professionals is the increasing reliance on template driven documentation. While electronic health records have improved efficiency, copied, carried-forward, and pre-populated information can create significant compliance risks when it does not accurately reflect the patient’s current encounter.

Auditors frequently identify contradictory statements, outdated histories, normal findings that conflict with the assessment and plan, and documentation that appears disconnected from the services actually provided. Simply completing documentation fields does not create credible documentation.

On this episode of the CodeCast Podcast, Terry discusses why E/M documentation is not a checklist, the compliance risks associated with template generated notes, and practical strategies to ensure your documentation accurately tells the patient’s story and supports the care delivered.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

The post E/M Documentation Is Not a Checklist: Tell the Patient’s Story appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..

At some point, we have to stop and ask ourselves: What are we truly building for our future? Where is our career in healthcare going?

I have all of these credentials in coding, billing, compliance, practice management, and prior authorization, but what does that really say about me? I want to be clear that I believe credentials matter. I know the work, time, money, and dedication it takes to earn them. However, we also need to be honest with ourselves about something that is becoming increasingly obvious in healthcare: collecting credentials alone is not a career plan. AI is changing healthcare, and we need to start looking at the bigger picture.

Terry discusses what that means in today’s episode of the CodeCast podcast and asks the questions that may be uncomfortable to consider.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

The post Credentials Alone Are Not a Career Path in Healthcare appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..

Auditors, coders, billers, and even physicians often find themselves searching through pages of documentation trying to answer one basic question: what was actually evaluated, managed, and medically necessary during a single patient visit?

With note bloat from copied and pasted EMR documentation and pulled-forward notes, it has become increasingly difficult to determine what actually happened “today.” In this episode of the CodeCast Podcast, Terry breaks down this compliance challenge and explains how providers can better manage documentation to ensure accuracy, clarity, and compliance.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

The post Note Bloat Is an Auditor’s Nightmare appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..

Text messaging for communicating orders is not prohibited by CMS or The Joint Commission, but there are important HIPAA privacy and security considerations that healthcare organizations must understand before using this method of communication. According to guidance from the AMA, providers must evaluate compliance requirements and safeguards when using text messages in patient care workflows. In this episode, Terry explains the details of using text messaging for orders, what organizations need to know to remain compliant, and practical considerations for implementation. Plus, hear about a newly accepted AMA CPT Committee decision for 2027 that could impact future coding and reporting.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

The post Can Physicians and Clinicians Use Texting for Patient Care? appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..

HHS recently released updated Notices of Privacy Practices (NPPs), introducing changes that go far beyond standard template revisions. The update includes new requirements for health care providers, health plans, and Part 2 patient notices related to sensitive protected health information.

While many in health care associate “NPP” with Non-Physician Practitioner, in this case it refers to patient privacy notice requirements involving highly sensitive health information, including substance use disorders (SUD), reproductive health information, and mental health records.

These updated privacy notice requirements became effective February 16, 2026, and covered entities must comply by July 1, 2026. In this episode, Terry breaks down what has changed, what practices need to update immediately, and how to ensure your organization remains compliant with both HIPAA and the new federal privacy requirements surrounding sensitive PHI.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

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Watch the claims data behind telehealth modifier 95 and audio-only modifier 93 as denial trends for high-volume CPT codes and place of service combinations raise major compliance concerns. Terry breaks down the most common causes of denials, including incorrect POS reporting, documentation gaps, and billing practices that could trigger audit scrutiny. She also explains why relying on coding forums for definitive coding advice can create serious compliance risks for providers and practices.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

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While Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services does not explicitly define a strict “12-month rule,” its guidance does require that the physician’s involvement reflect ongoing, active participation in the patient’s course of treatment.

That said, legal and compliance experts consistently caution that if a physician has not personally seen a patient within 12–24 months, billing subsequent non-physician practitioner (NPP) visits as “incident to” may present elevated audit risk. Terry breaks down the lack of clear regulatory thresholds and outlines practical steps to help protect your practice if an audit inquiry occurs.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

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Terry breaks down a recent social media post that exposed a practice’s compliance issues with time based care management services, drawing exactly the kind of attention no organization wants. Although the original post was quickly deleted after backlash, the situation highlights a bigger issue.

In this episode, Terry emphasizes the importance of using sound judgment online and ensuring time based services are properly documented and driven by medical necessity, not simply billed because they can be.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

The post CCM and CoCM Compliance Risks on Social Media appeared first on Terry Fletcher Consulting, Inc..

Modifier 59 (Distinct Procedural Service) continues to face intense scrutiny in 2026 due to widespread misuse, triggering audits, denials, appeals, and payer recoupments tied to medical necessity concerns. With enforcement on the rise, it’s more important than ever for coders to understand when—and when not—to apply this modifier correctly.

On today’s episode of the CodeCast Podcast, Terry Fletcher breaks down proper Modifier 59 usage, common pitfalls leading to audits, and key documentation requirements to support compliant coding. She also covers post-operative pain injections, including when they can be reported and which providers are eligible to bill for them.

Find all of Terry’s official links in one place: https://www.terryfletcher.net/links

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