#Outsource Medical Coding Oklahoma

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Common ICD-10 Codes Used in Primary Care [2025 Edition]

Primary care is the foundation of the healthcare system, covering everything from preventive services and chronic condition management to urgent care and routine screenings. Given its wide scope, primary care professionals encounter a vast variety of diagnoses on a daily basis. That’s why quick access to the most commonly used ICD-10 codes is essential. It supports accurate clinical documentation, streamlines insurance claims, enhances billing efficiency, and ensures compliance.

With stricter reimbursement policies, increased audit scrutiny, and a higher risk of denials due to coding mistakes, accuracy has never been more critical. Primary care providers often shift rapidly between tasks like wellness visits, managing diabetes, treating respiratory infections, and administering vaccines. In such a fast-paced environment, having reliable, up-to-date coding tools becomes a game-changer.

This blog highlights a 2025-ready list of the most frequently used ICD-10 codes in primary care, offering a practical reference for busy clinicians.

Most Common ICD-10 Codes in Primary Care Clinics

Primary care providers are often the first point of contact for patients, managing everything from preventive screenings to acute and chronic conditions across all age groups. Given this wide range of responsibilities, it's crucial to be familiar with the most frequently used ICD-10 codes. Below is a categorized list of top ICD-10 codes commonly used in primary care as of 2025:

1. Preventive Visits and Wellness Checks

Routine health assessments are a frequent reason for visits. Common codes include:

Z00.00 – Adult general exam with no abnormal findings

Z00.01 – Adult general exam with abnormal findings

Z00.129 – Child wellness check without abnormalities

Z00.121 – Child wellness check with abnormalities

Z13.6 – Cardiovascular screening

Z13.89 – General health screening

Z23 – Immunization encounter

2. Respiratory Conditions

Often seen during flu seasons or among patients with chronic respiratory issues:

J00 – Common cold

J02.9 – Acute pharyngitis, unspecified

J06.9 – Acute upper respiratory infection

J18.9 – Pneumonia, unspecified

J20.9 – Acute bronchitis, unspecified

J30.9 – Unspecified allergic rhinitis

J45.909 – Uncomplicated asthma, unspecified

J44.9 – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

J40 – Bronchitis, unspecified

3. Infections & Acute Illnesses

General infections and acute complaints use the following codes:

B34.9 – Unspecified viral infection

N39.0 – Urinary tract infection, unspecified site

4. Chronic Disease Management

Long-term condition management is a core responsibility:

Metabolic/Endocrine:

E11.9 – Type 2 diabetes, no complications

E11.65 – Type 2 diabetes with hyperglycemia

E78.0 – Pure hypercholesterolemia

E78.5 – Unspecified hyperlipidemia

E03.9 – Unspecified hypothyroidism

E66.9 – Unspecified obesity

E63.9 – Nutritional deficiency, unspecified

Cardiovascular:

I10 – Primary hypertension

I11.9 – Hypertensive heart disease, no failure

I20.9 – Unspecified angina

I25.10 – Coronary artery disease without angina

I25.110 – Coronary artery disease with unstable angina

I48.91 – Atrial fibrillation, unspecified

I50.9 – Heart failure, unspecified

5. Musculoskeletal Issues

Frequently used for joint, muscle, and back pain:

M54.5 – Lower back pain

M25.50 – Joint pain, unspecified

M19.90 – Unspecified osteoarthritis

M75.100 – Rotator cuff tear, unspecified

M17.9 – Osteoarthritis of knee, unspecified

M79.1 – Muscle pain (myalgia)

6. Mental and Behavioral Health

Mental health is often addressed in primary care:

F32.9 – Unspecified depression

F41.1 – Generalized anxiety disorder

F43.2 – Adjustment disorder

F50.9 – Eating disorder, unspecified

F90.9 – ADHD, unspecified type

7. Neurological and Sleep Disorders

G47.33 – Obstructive sleep apnea

G43.909 – Unspecified migraine

8. Gastrointestinal Conditions

K21.9 – GERD without esophagitis

K29.70 – Unspecified gastritis without bleeding

K58.9 – IBS without diarrhea

K64.4 – Unspecified anal fissure

K75.9 – Unspecified liver inflammation

9. Dermatologic Conditions

L03.90 – Unspecified cellulitis

L20.9 – Atopic dermatitis

L30.9 – Unspecified dermatitis

10. General Symptoms and Pain

R07.9 – Chest pain, unspecified

R10.9 – Abdominal pain, unspecified

R51.9 – Headache, unspecified

R53.83 – Fatigue

R63.4 – Unintended weight loss

R63.5 – Unusual weight gain

11. Social and Environmental Influences

Z20–Z29 – Exposure to infectious diseases

Z55–Z65 – Social or psychological risk factors

Z71–Z76 – Health service encounters (e.g., counseling, follow-ups)

2025 Billing Best Practices for ICD-10 in Primary Care

Be Specific: Use the most precise and current code available to avoid denials.

Annual Updates: ICD-10 codes are revised every October—always use the latest version.

Symptom Coding: Only use symptom codes (R00–R99) when a diagnosis is unclear.

Proper Code Linkage: Pair ICD-10 codes with CPT/HCPCS codes to support medical necessity.

EHR Integration: Use smart, cloud-based platforms that suggest accurate codes in real time.

How 24/7 Medical Billing Services Can Help

24/7 Medical Billing Services enhances accuracy and speed in ICD-10 coding with expert support and cutting-edge tools. Their certified coders stay current with 2025 updates, ensuring precise documentation, fewer denials, and stronger compliance. Outsourcing primary care billing and coding services to 24/7 MBS provides seamless EHR integration and boosts reimbursement efficiency—helping your primary care clinic focus on patients, not paperwork.

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https://armanagementsolutions.hashnode.dev/comprehensive-ems-billing-services-in-texas-and-oklahoma

Optimize Your Revenue with EMS Billing Services in Texas

At AR Management & Solutions, we offer specialized EMS billing services in Texas designed to enhance the financial health of your emergency medical services. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, our team understands the unique challenges faced by EMS providers in Texas. We provide tailored billing solutions that ensure accurate coding, timely claim submissions, and efficient revenue cycle management. Our expert staff stays up-to-date with the latest regulations and reimbursement policies, minimizing claim denials and maximizing your revenue. By outsourcing your billing to us, you can focus on what matters most—delivering exceptional patient care. Our commitment to client satisfaction means we work closely with you to develop strategies that align with your operational goals. Choose AR Management & Solutions for reliable and effective EMS billing services in Texas and experience the difference that expert billing can make for your organization. Contact us today to get started!

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Maximizing Revenue: The Importance of Medical Billing Consulting in Oklahoma

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, medical practices face numerous challenges when it comes to managing revenue cycles efficiently. With ever-evolving insurance regulations, complex billing procedures, and the constant risk of claim denials, healthcare providers in Oklahoma must adopt strategic approaches to maintain financial stability. This is where medical billing consulting plays a crucial role. By leveraging expert consultants, medical facilities can optimize revenue, reduce administrative burdens, and enhance patient satisfaction. Additionally, Oklahoma emergency room medical billing requires specialized expertise to handle the complexities of emergency care claims and ensure accurate reimbursements.

The Role of Medical Billing Consulting

Medical billing consulting services provide specialized expertise in handling medical claims, ensuring accurate coding, and improving reimbursement rates. These professionals help healthcare providers navigate the intricate landscape of insurance policies and government regulations, minimizing errors that lead to denied claims. Here’s why medical billing consulting is essential for healthcare providers in Oklahoma:

1. Enhanced Revenue Cycle Management

A well-managed revenue cycle is the backbone of any medical practice. Billing consultants analyze existing processes and implement strategies to streamline billing and collections, leading to faster reimbursements and increased cash flow. By identifying revenue leaks and inefficiencies, consultants help maximize the financial health of healthcare facilities.

2. Compliance with Healthcare Regulations

The healthcare industry is heavily regulated, and non-compliance can result in penalties and legal issues. Medical billing consultants ensure that billing practices align with HIPAA, Medicare, and Medicaid regulations, reducing the risk of audits and financial losses. Staying up-to-date with the latest billing codes and requirements is essential for maintaining compliance and avoiding claim rejections.

3. Reduction in Claim Denials and Errors

Denied claims can significantly impact a practice’s revenue. Common reasons for denials include incorrect patient information, coding errors, and missing documentation. Billing consultants use their expertise to reduce claim denials by improving accuracy in coding and documentation. They also provide staff training to minimize future billing errors.

4. Improved Efficiency and Productivity

Outsourcing medical billing consulting allows healthcare providers to focus on patient care rather than administrative tasks. With expert guidance, medical staff can allocate more time to providing quality healthcare services while consultants handle complex billing procedures, ensuring efficiency and productivity.

5. Cost-Effective Solutions for Small and Large Practices

Whether a small clinic or a large healthcare facility, medical billing consulting offers customized solutions to meet specific needs. Smaller practices often struggle with limited staff and resources, making it difficult to manage billing effectively. Consultants provide cost-effective solutions that enhance financial performance without the need for additional in-house staff.

6. Technology Integration and Automation

Modern medical billing relies on advanced software and automation tools to optimize efficiency. Billing consultants help practices integrate Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Practice Management Systems (PMS) to automate billing tasks, track claims in real time, and improve overall revenue cycle management.

Choosing the Right Medical Billing Consultant in Oklahoma

Selecting the right medical billing consultant is crucial for achieving financial success. Here are some key factors to consider:

Experience and Credentials – Ensure the consultant has expertise in medical billing, coding, and compliance with Oklahoma-specific regulations.

Client Reviews and Testimonials – Look for positive feedback from healthcare providers who have benefited from their services.

Customizable Services – Choose a consultant who offers tailored solutions based on the size and needs of your practice.

Transparent Pricing – Ensure that the consultant provides clear pricing structures without hidden fees.

Conclusion

In today’s evolving healthcare landscape, medical billing consulting is essential for maximizing revenue and ensuring a smooth financial operation. Healthcare providers in Oklahoma can benefit significantly from expert guidance in revenue cycle management, compliance, and technology integration. By investing in professional medical billing consulting, practices can minimize claim denials, enhance efficiency, and focus on delivering exceptional patient care.

If you're a healthcare provider in Oklahoma looking to improve your billing processes and increase revenue, Emergency Physicians Billing Services and 360 Medical Billing Solutions offer expert support to help you navigate complex billing challenges. Contact us today to learn how we can optimize your revenue cycle and enhance financial performance.

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Apple Pie: unavailable on U.S. prison menu.

Some might say why should it be? Why should anyone who is serving time have the pleasure of eating America’s favourite dessert? Prisoners can request it as part of their last meal on death row. They can try and make an imitation but other than that, this staple, along with plenty of other food types are conspicuous by their absence in the diet of the American prisoner.

            Nasty, unidentifiable, rotten, maggot infested, rat nibbled ‘chow’ unfit for human consumption, which would get food providers anywhere else shut down, is available.

The reason? The average daily budget for feeding a U.S prisoner is around $2.65 and as low as 56 cents per meal in some Arizona jails.

  Studies have shown the food is nutritionally poor, usually processed, high in sugars, salt and fat. And, just like on the outside this leads to weight gain, heart disease and diabetes.

Diabetic inmates cost the state of Virginia $2.17 million per year. It now costs more to treat prisoner’s health issues than it does to feed them.

           Prisons used to cater ‘in house’, cooking from scratch and sometimes using ingredients grown on site. Now, catering is industrialized and privatised. It is outsourced to profit seeking companies like Aramark who stand accused of everything from serving inedible cheese to halving rations, charging for meals never served and violating food standard codes.

           Powdered food was reported in Alabama county jails. What even is that?

Dickensian style gruel, bread and water, Nutraloaf, sure, there will be people who think prisoners deserve it, but those incarcerated in Alcatraz in the 1940s had a better diet! Including apple pie on Mondays!

Why should we care? Because, this is now a public health problem, affecting not just the prisoners but their families, communities and wider society especially when prisoners are released with chronic and costly medical conditions. Food low in nutritional value has also been shown to affect mental health which prison populations already have a higher incidence of to start with.

This is not new. Journalist Alan Elsner reported worsening state prison cuisine in his book The Gates of Injustice: The Crisis in America’s Prisons as far back as 2004.

He also gave this security warning; ‘hungry inmates are angry inmates.’

           Food used as punishment and the domino effect is just one of the crises currently faced by the American penal system. Rising prison healthcare costs are also attributable to the aging prison population.

We have an aging demographic, but reports suggest that prisoners suffer age related illness and disease 10-15 years earlier than the general population. Add to this, harsh, long mandatory minimum sentences and an increase in admissions of people over 55 and it is not difficult to appreciate some of the challenges.

Correctional officers are not trained nurses or carers, correctional facilities were not meant to be hospitals, elderly care homes or shelter for the mentally ill.

An illuminating Washington Post article by Kenneth Dickerman and photographer Lucy Nicholson article says that 20 years ago only 1 percent of California’s state prison population was over 60 but by 2016 that figure had risen to 7 percent.

Nicholson captured scenes in the California Medical Facility in Vacaville where sick and elderly prisoners are cared for in its medical unit and hospice. It is already overcrowded and understaffed. And it is expensive. KPBS reported that providing prisoner health care cost California $1.9 billion ten years ago, with producer Wendy Fry warning ‘If we think we’re having a prison crisis right now, we just need to wait about 5 years.’

Well, that time has come and gone, and as she pointed out the ‘Three Strikes Laws’ of 1994 (those harsh mandatory sentences alluded to earlier) had far reaching and costly consequences that the ‘lock’em up and throw away the key’ law makers of the time did not care to think about.

There are sick and elderly prisoners who do not even remember why they are there. Some are serving long sentences for non-violent crimes and some who committed heinous crimes but are now to ill or frail to be a public danger. Is prison the right place for them? Is there a case for release on compassionate grounds?

15 to life, 25 to life, does that mean you should get out? And how would we feel about this if we or one of our family members were the victim of a crime?

To be fair, California has begun to rethink its position and according to The Guardian will reconsider the life sentences 4,000 non violent prisoners.

A relief maybe for those given life sentences for ‘stealing a bicycle, possessing less than half a gram of methamphetamine, stealing two bottles of liquor or shoplifting shampoo.’

Various news outlets have given column space to new legislation called the First Step Act. Introduced under the Trump administration but with cross party support, the program aims to release those with good behaviour early.

Crack cocaine offenders affected by the penalty disparity for possession of crack compared to powder cocaine at the height of the ‘The War on Drugs’ have benefited, with 1,691 getting reduced sentences. And, in November 2019 Oklahoma released 500 prisoners in one day according to The New York Times.  

These ‘good news’ stories splashed across the front pages give a positive impression but hold on a minute. These figures are drops in the ocean compared to the total American prison population. Estimated at a staggering 2.3 million according to the non-profit organisation Prison Policy Initiative, who have plenty to say in their in depth report Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2019.

 America is still incarcerating the same amount of people that inhabit a small country. Statistics show that despite having 5% of the world’s population it has 25% of the world’s prison population and there are multiple reasons for this ‘mass-criminalization’ but long, harsh sentences, even for low-level misdemeanors stand out.

It is not hard to imagine how difficult the management of such a system must be. Two million people to feed and administer along with the organisation of thousands of personnel and the maintenance of 100’s of buildings. Some have fearsome reputations such as Rikers Island in New York, due to close in 2026 and not before time.

In October 2019 BBC journalist Rosie Blunt told us some alarming tales from Rikers, one of modern civilisation’s most notorious jails. Stories of stabbings, teenagers hanging themselves, officers selling drugs and razors, and soul-destroying solitary confinement in an old and frightening building that is falling apart.

Most are held in state prisons but privately-run institutions are increasing and raise further questions. Here the prisoners have become a workforce, contracted out to private companies. They cannot complain or go on strike. They do not take holidays or turn up late.

They are paid 25 cents an hour.

There is no incentive to rehabilitate or educate, recidivism just boosts the investors bottom line. It is in their financial interest to keep the prison population high.

There is also a sinister element to this forced labour which has not been lost on commentators who compare it to slavery and Nazi Germany. Exploitation is occurring.

Issues such as nutrition, healthcare, and work camp ethics are just the tip of the iceberg where American prison crises are concerned. Many of the problems concern Human Rights but, and correct me if I am wrong, America has yet to adhere to the United Nations ‘Nelson Mandela Rules.’

Until then we can say, “mass incarceration is as American as apple pie.”.

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On the State of Tech Funding in NM

How Can New Mexico Create a Thriving Technology Economy?

Let’s be honest here, the technology startup scene in New Mexico is somewhat lacking. There is to be sure, the Labs (Sandia, LANL etc), a source of a certain kind of technology but when you compare New Mexico’s economy to our neighbors in the region, we’re so far behind as to be embarrassing.

In 2017, our state is “The highest in the nation in general unemployment, skilled labor is well below the national average” according to a report cited on the NM Tech Council website, (Robert Half Technologies, 2018).

The New Mexico Technology Council is a member-based business that advocates for, promotes, and represents technology companies in the area. Since 1972, NMTC has slowly expanded to now have 160 IT/Tech related companies. Their focus, in a 2017 report, stated that they encouraged more STEM education and training programs, encouraged Tech Based Economic Development, and wanted to address the need for more training to create a suitable software workforce. The website also puts out a Call for Action: Outsource your Software Development to New Mexico!” Their launch, when giving reasons to software businesses to set up shop here, talks of low business costs, quality of life, and the skilled workforce. Didn’t they just contradict themselves? Well, that aside, let’s look at how we’re doing statistically compared to Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Oh, let’s look at Kansas and Oklahoma too.

First though, the backstory and then some definitions to clarify what I’m looking at here and why you should care.

This spring, I realized that my little side project, running an online sharing platform for travel blogs has a potential to become a profitable and scalable technology-using business, employing others. With a global reach of 58,000 views in the first year with only $350 spent on marketing costs, and with readers from 114 countries and writers from 64, the website (www.wanderlust-journal.com) has expanded beyond hope. Once I saw these numbers, I contacted a few successful business entrepreneurs and incubators for advice. The responses varied considerably; SCORE told me to get QuickBooks and WESST suggested looking for venture capitalist funds. I went with the latter, which leads me to the following definitions.

I’d not thought of my website as a technology startup but in some circles, it is. I’d thought of tech as being software development, those behind the scenes geeks coding in little cubicles with mugs of Starbucks and Bluetooth earbuds, nodding off to some inner enthusiasm for numbers.

Technology is many things to many people. For now, I’ll give you the definition of software by the BSA Foundation, an association that advocates for the software industry around the world. Their website, software.org, explains that the modern definition of technological advancements no longer is limited to only tangible and packaged software products. The term now includes cloud-based software as service (SaaS), cloud storage and computing, mobile application development, hosting, software publishers, computer system design, data processing and internet publishing/websites/broadcasting, my own area of interest.

The BSA Foundation reported on the Economic Impact of Software (2017) by compiling information from US Bureau of Labor, US Census, US Bureau of Economic Analysis and others. I focused on software jobs’ growth as a percentage, the total number of jobs both direct and indirectly created by software technology companies, and the direct value to the state’s GDP, all within a four-year framework of 2014 to now.

Arizona had a 21.21% increase in software jobs, with a total of 99,625 such jobs, and a $6.7 Billion value added to their GDP.

Colorado’s software jobs grew by 12.2% with a total of 140,271 tech related jobs, and $14 Billion.

Kansas grew by 37.5%, a total of 38,382 jobs, and $3 Billion.

Oklahoma grew by 11.8%, a total of 24,706 and $1.8 Billion.

Utah was up 13.3%, to 98,282 jobs, and $5.9 Billion.

New Mexico’s software jobs grew by 14.8%, to a total number of direct and indirectly software related jobs to…9,993. The direct value added to the NM GDP was $874 Million.

After reading this report, my question shifted from worrying about my own selfish wish for funding to what are these states doing that we’re not? How can we become a thriving software economy like our neighbors have? Let’s look first at one of these states, checking the facts and figures and then I’ll address what I found to be the case for New Mexico.

Utah ranks as 7th for venture capital activity. Over the last 20 years, Utah’s expanded from 1500 tech companies to 6,700. Their technology industry provides over 302,000 jobs. Twenty-five years ago, they had only one VC Fund. Their Governor, Michael O. Leavitt, called it “a whopping $20 Million.” (Remember this figure, it comes back into conversation.) Leavitt actively went to the big tech companies in Silicone Valley and asked what could he, and Utah, do to become a viable destination for their businesses to move their headquarters? He was told that in order to bring in tech jobs to Utah, he needed to invest in creating a skilled workforce. Since 2007, the Utah Engineering Initiative has grown to more than 40,000 students graduating with relevant skills at higher education levels. In the last three years alone, Utah has added over 17,000 small businesses (not just technology) with approximately another 400,000 new jobs created.

New Mexico is not quite so impressive for venture capital activity although we too have $20 Million available, just like Utah did — twenty-five years ago.

With $5M from US Treasury, $10M from NMSIC, and $5M from private institutional investors, New Mexico has the Catalyst Fund. The program was implemented in 2016 to invest in locally based technology startups who would benefit the state’s economy. Sun Mountain Capital, a private investment partnership, acts on behalf of this Catalyst Fund. They have the job of finding, vetting, and investing in approximately 8–10 Venture Capital companies to act as portfolio fund managers, who themselves then are responsible for investing in technology startups. The average investment into these Portfolio funds was meant to be about $2M. These chosen VC companies must then raise at least 60% matching capital. The Executive statement of 2016 says that Catalyst Fund was to invest in fifty tech startups within three to five years. It’s now 2019, three years in, and it’s been challenging and interesting to ask where that original $20M of federal money is now. Who’s benefitted from the funds? Bear in mind, these funds are matched by the companies working as portfolio managers, so somewhere there’s approximately $40 Million waiting to be invested in the NM tech economy.

I spoke to a couple of partners at Sun Mountain Capital, who explained how the process of finding and vetting appropriate VCs to hold the Portfolio Funds took longer than expected. Another Venture Capitalist said, (quite candid once promised anonymity), “The decision to have six companies to manage the CF investments is questionable; some of these VCs have limited experience in the field of tech startups, they’re unfamiliar with the challenges and needs of the industry or staffing.” As part of my research, I also talked to Dorian Radar from NMA Ventures. When I asked for her opinion on the current situation of the tech startup industry, she said, “It’s growing but there are problems with outreach. Five years ago, in Albuquerque, there were many business accelerators and little funding. Now it’s the opposite, more funds than tech startups and not enough entrepreneurs know what’s available.”

When I asked four of the six Catalyst Fund Portfolio Managers how they define ‘tech’ in this context, the range of answers covered medical, customer software for sales and marketing, and hard sciences for bio/agriculture industry. Not one mentioned or focuses on business to business software development. One VC replied that it’s “a wide category that includes Meow Wolf since they use so much technology,” although I’ll admit to thinking of Meow Wolf as an immersive entertainment experience and not a tech startup. Another interviewee mentioned that if the startup were innovating software, then their product should be patented. Unfortunately, that’s not a realistic case in this industry. Big corporations such as IBM and Microsoft no longer innovate or develop software; they buy smaller companies who already have the adoption. Think about the modern definition of technology and software that I mentioned earlier. Perhaps the fund managers’ understanding (of the field they’re meant to invest in) is outdated and needs a good reboot? VCs, I’m talking to you.

So, who is getting funded with the Catalyst Fund?

“Targeted companies will originate from New Mexico’s research universities and national labs, as well as from the private sector,” Sun Mountain stated in their Executive Statement in 2017. This seems to be the consistent focus as in an article online at Santa Fe Today (2018) repeated the idea: “New Mexico is well leveraged to develop and commercialize innovative technologies from its research universities and three federal laboratories.”

Cottonwood and Tramway invested in BennuBio, a hard science/health company. The second success story is BayoTech, another hard science/agriculture focused company based in Albuquerque, who had help from Cottonwood and Sun Mountain. NMA Ventures recently invested in Fusion Funnel, a sales and marketing tool software company for $300,000. These examples were all I could find on Crunchbase, Discover.org, through various web searches and in conversation with four of the main six investors in New Mexico. I’d love to be corrected if my findings are wrong. Why? Because it brings up the lack of transparency and oversight. Why is it so hard to know who has benefitted from the federal govt’s fund for our state? Why has it taken me so long to only uncover those three?

Compared to other states, NM is the only one that tries to build technology companies with seed rounds under $500K. This approach may work with smaller cottage industries like mine but is somewhat unrealistic for tech companies. According to some, it’s safer to invest at this initial amount to test out the idea before investing at a higher level of $1.5M with an expected growth to $100M. That initial round of funding at $300K is only enough for a small team over six months — not enough time to create a product, much less understand customer needs or product market fit. Bearing in mind that only three such companies have received Catalyst Funds so far; we know that NM still has the money. The recruitment of experienced CEO, management, and staffing is still the issue. How then do we create the ideal of innovation, management, and money?

On May 9th, 2019, Mayor Webber hosted an event called the Santa Fe Tech Industry Spring Convening. The question raised at the meeting was how do we develop a thriving, sustainable technology industry? And who supports such efforts? Is this all talk and no action?

Matt Brown, from the Office of Economic Development spoke of how many tech business startups have 1–5 employees and are still in their first five years of development. Matt mentioned the obstacles of funding, recruitment, and education, and the need for a game plan to work together across the sector. Peter Mitchell from the NM Economic Development then gave an overview of state-run programs. The NM Tech Council is promoting the state as a destination for new software businesses to move here, citing lower running costs, lower salaries (as if that’s a good thing), and ample skilled workers (which I question). NM Tech Works offers basic coding, website building classes, and social media type skills. The NM Job Training Incentive Program has supported the creation of 46,000 jobs within 1500 businesses in the last 47 years. We also have the programs such as the Small Business Development Center, WESST, Arrowhead, Startup New Mexico, SCORE, not all are focused on software or technology, but software relates to all aspects of our lives these days whether it’s acknowledged as such. Still, it looks like we’re actively looking for solutions.

Mayor Webber joked that “Santa Fe is one large TED Talk,” a combination of the creative and technology minded. Many of us living here are freelancers, independent, creative, and educated, looking for work through networking opportunities. The state has a history of history, technology, art, entertainment, film, tourism, service industry. He asked, how do we connect across the different areas to share our expertise and experiences to grow our economy together?

Dorian Radar, one of the panelists, talked of how a few years ago, there were many more events and conferences, almost too many. Nowadays, she said, there are less events and outreach opportunities to reach those in rural NM with great ideas and products. NMA Ventures and NM Angels hold Office Hours in Alb and online/virtual for those with ideas to get suggestions, references, ideas. More coaching opportunities are still needed for startups in my opinion, the information is hard to find, and the path to funding is difficult to maneuver.

Others mentioned how there’s problem with creating an ecosystem for employees. There’s money to invest, there are some great ideas here, but there’s not enough of a skilled or experienced workforce. It’s a concern and a challenge to bring in qualified leaders and managers. Paying high enough wages is only one aspect of the struggle to bring in qualified managers for any businesses. People might move here with an offer of work but what happens if they want to change companies? Who else can they work for, especially in the tech industry? Employees need to cross-pollinate, as in, be able to find other local work in the industry rather than move away, following the money and funds. Many of the tech staff moving here are young adults, with families, interested in settling long term.

At this meeting, the Mayor stated, “Denver and Austin are losing their souls” with their big tech growth. He even said, “you can have tech sophistication, growth, investment but we’ll keep it our way.” He then introduced Descartes Labs on the panel for discussing the state of technology in New Mexico.

Descartes Labs, Skorpius, and RiskSense are often mentioned as role models for other tech startups. However, Skorpios received seed funds from out of state and once at Series B rounds only then did Sun Mountain and Cottonwood invest. RiskSense got seed funding from out of state and at Series A, Sun Mountain invested. They opened an office in CA to attract funding. Mark Johnson, the CEO of Descartes Lab, did all the hard work himself, he brought in both funding and higher management from Silicon Valley and other states to complement the core group from the Labs. None of these companies received Catalyst Funds or financial help as true startups, they were only invested in locally after they’d proven themselves through their own efforts.

The Mayor talked highly of investing time and money into new solutions and programs, networking across the existing technology community in the state. He mentioned the need for affordable housing, jobs for the trailing spouses, but said little of investing in STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), internships’ training and he seemed interested more in quality of life and creating a downtown innovation district.

After the meeting, I handed him my notes on what the neighboring states are doing, the original version of this article, and he agreed to meet with myself and Tracy Ragan, of DeployHub, a central microservice sharing platform for software developers. (I work for DeployHub as a Communications Officer part time.) We’d wanted to share our findings on funding for tech startups, coming from both ends of the spectrum, with my customer focused product and hers a business to business for enterprise software development. We had an appointment for June 13th at 10.30am. The Mayor’s secretary, once we’d driven from Madrid to Santa Fe, rescheduled for half an hour later. We returned only to be postponed for another week. The next day, a call from the Mayor’s office cancelled our upcoming meeting. They wouldn’t reschedule for another time. It was most odd to put it politely. Especially after all his talk of being open to coffee with his constituents, community building, and sharing information.

I’d hoped to give him my research on how Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and Oklahoma are all creating huge technology growth, impacting their states GDP in the millions, improving median incomes, lowering unemployment, training tens of thousands of students with technical skills, and creating anywhere from 24,000 to 140,000 tech jobs. Unlike in New Mexico with our 9,000 jobs. I’d wanted to give him their recommendations and share the programs that worked. We don’t have to do it “our way” as the Mayor says, we can learn from others and collaborate by reading their roadmaps to success for software and technology startups.

In the meantime, I’ll share with you what these neighboring states say contributed to their economic growth. These are the steps and programs they have implemented with incredible success, their recommendations.

1. Mayors and Governors to actively approach the technology corporations and find out what they need in order to move to our region.

2. Create community: sponsor monthly social events for local tech industry people to gather, chat, talk shop, share ideas, ask for suggestions, and build strong network.

3. State-run meetings: Each quarter host a gathering for tech industry that is educational, and network/skills based with a featured speaker (startup leader etc.) followed by breakout sessions on various topics of interest.

4. Websites: User friendly, easy access to resources, to training programs, to events, and relevant information that is updated regularly, with clear links that work.

5. Education/Training programs:

- Create scholarships for higher ed training in tech

- Internships (e.g. Talen Ready Utah’s certificates/hands on training while in high school)

- New businesses sponsor in-house internships as part of the initial funding agreements

- Provide training programs across the state at all levels of entry into field

- Higher education degrees (not only entry level skills)

6. Invest in education from both sides: Pay teachers well and keep talented workforce committed to the state which then creates an educated, well-paid and engaged populace, more likely to stay. Support staff, new textbooks, upgraded technology and infrastructure.

7. Taxes: To develop and pass pro-technology legislation. Easier and business friendly regulations that respect the needs of different business needs. Research & Development (R&D) tax credits, and others that promote incentives for more investments for startups.

8. Physical Clusters/real estate for tech companies who can collaborate, share info, resources, and buildings to create a stronger micro-community/economic base. (e.g Utah created clusters and real estate by voting to move state run prison off prime location along their business corridor)

9. State-wide Collaboration: Connect with other cities to work together, share programs, resources, information across Santa Fe, Alb, Las Cruces etc. Connect. Develop. Work together.

10. Promote these partner programs, the infrastructure of light-railway, housing, incubators, co-offices etc. and not only the quality of life aspect when courting investors and businesses.

11. Annual Tech Summit with featured speakers, startups, investors, from the region, spread over two days, treat the investors to explore the area and colleges as Utah did with great pro-active success.

12. Inclusive/Diversity: When promoting each state for new tech businesses, be wary of language that is divisive, xenophobic or limiting. Encourage outsiders. Welcome investors and companies. Invite them to visit, ask them to talk at local universities and schools in exchange.

And lastly, I’d like to return to a specifically New Mexico concern: The Catalyst Fund.

Created three years ago to invest $20M in tech startups, it now has approximately $40M with the matching funds. It has not done its job. There needs to be oversight, accountability, and transparency. Who benefits from holding onto the funds? Why is it so impossible to discover who has received CF $? Which tech companies have received the funds, how much, and why were they chosen?

As far as I can tell, the local venture capitalists could

- Take more financial risks

- Research what technology (software) is these days

- Better understand the various needs of tech startups

- Invest at seed instead of waiting for second rounds of funding

- Be open to soft science tech/software business to business development

- Consider larger initial funds so the startup caps tables aren’t impacted negatively

- Learn more about the industry

- Update the Catalyst Fund website regularly with full information, links to the fund managers and lists of who has received help and why.

- Focus on outreach and education about the money available

- Research other state’s investments and successes

And finally, please, simply invest in more tech startups.

New Mexico needs to play catch up as without greater investments, pro-technology legislation, and the government physically out on the field, we’re a losing team. After all my research into our neighbors’ successes and the situation here, I believe that it’s a matter of scope. We need to expand the dollar amounts invested, increase the number of larger sized startups, build more STEM programs in high schools and higher education, outreach to our rural communities with more access to training, and actively seek technology businesses to move here. We can grow into a thriving technology economy, we have the beginnings of great lifestyle, climate, real estate, a need and hunger for training and skilled employment, ideas and prototypes for tech startups. Let’s expand what we’re already achieving and aim higher, wider, and claim our state as one to invest in. We’re doing it. We just need to expand our idea of what success looks like in New Mexico.

Startup

Nm Tech

Technology

Funding

New Mexico

[outsource-medical-billing]

Common ICD-10 Codes Used in Primary Care [2025 Edition]

Explore the most-used ICD-10 codes in primary care for 2025, with guidelines on billing, accuracy, and coding efficiency for better practice management.

[outsource-medical-billing]

Common ICD-10 Codes Used in Primary Care [2025 Edition]

Explore the most-used ICD-10 codes in primary care for 2025, with guidelines on billing, accuracy, and coding efficiency for better practice management.

[outsource-medical-billing]

What Is ICD-10?

Whether you're a newly practicing healthcare provider or a hospital administrator overseeing billing operations, you've likely come across the term ICD-10. But have you truly considered its impact on daily healthcare operations?

ICD-10 codes play a crucial role behind the scenes—supporting everything from diagnosing a simple illness to submitting claims for major surgical procedures. More than just a set of codes, ICD-10 serves as a universal language that bridges clinical care, medical documentation, and insurance systems. Understanding how it functions is vital for ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance. This blog will guide you through the essentials of ICD-10 to help you grasp its significance more clearly.

ICD-9 vs. ICD-10 ICD-10 is the modernized edition of the International Classification of Diseases, developed to replace the outdated ICD-9 system. A key distinction between the two is the vast increase in the number of codes—ICD-9 included around 13,000 codes, while ICD-10 offers more than 68,000, enabling greater precision in documenting diagnoses and procedures.

Additionally, ICD-10 codes can be up to seven characters long, compared to the five-character limit in ICD-9. This allows healthcare professionals to specify details such as the condition’s location, cause, and severity with much more accuracy. The increased granularity not only supports better clinical care and billing accuracy but also enhances health data analysis. As medical science progressed, ICD-9 could no longer meet industry demands, making the shift to ICD-10 a necessary evolution.

Understanding ICD-10 The International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), is a globally recognized coding framework developed by the World Health Organization. It is used to systematically categorize diseases, symptoms, medical conditions, and procedures. This standardized system allows healthcare facilities around the world to communicate using a common clinical language, ensuring consistency in diagnosis documentation and care delivery.

How ICD-10 Codes Are Structured ICD-10 codes can be up to seven characters long and follow a defined format:

The first three characters indicate the primary category of the condition.

A decimal point is placed after the third character.

The remaining characters provide detailed information such as the condition’s location, cause, and severity.

Why ICD-10 Codes Matter ICD-10 codes play a crucial role in medical billing and insurance processing. They validate that the diagnosis aligns with the treatment or procedure submitted for reimbursement. For instance, submitting a claim for a hand X-ray while coding for an ankle injury (e.g., S99.91) can lead to claim rejection, payment delays, or unexpected charges for patients. Accurate coding is essential to prevent such issues and ensure smooth reimbursement.

How to Search and Use ICD-10 Codes Effectively

Healthcare professionals and coders can easily locate ICD-10 codes through several reliable methods:

CDC ICD-10 Lookup Tool: Visit the official website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to access their free, searchable database for verifying and finding ICD-10 codes.

Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems: Most modern EHR platforms come equipped with built-in ICD-10 lookup functionalities, offering auto-suggestions for diagnosis codes based on clinical documentation or condition selection.

Medical Coding Software: Tools like 3M CodeFinder, TruCode, Optum EncoderPro, and Find-A-Code enable fast and accurate ICD-10 searches, along with compliance validation features.

Printed ICD-10 Codebooks: Many professionals still rely on physical codebooks—published by organizations such as the AMA or AAPC—for offline reference and detailed guideline insights.

Official CMS and WHO Platforms: Providers can visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website for downloadable updates and code lists, or refer to the World Health Organization (WHO) for global coding classifications.

Certified Coding Experts: For complex or rare diagnosis scenarios, consulting with Certified Professional Medical Coders can ensure proper and accurate code assignment.

ICD-10-CM Code Updates for FY 2025

The CMS has released updates to the ICD-10-CM codes, effective from October 1, 2024, for the 2025 fiscal year. The revisions include 252 new codes, 36 modifications, and 13 deletions, including key changes such as:

Lymphoma Remission Coding

A total of 63 new codes have been introduced in the C81–C96 series to specify whether lymphoma is active or in remission, helping improve patient tracking, treatment evaluation, and care planning.

Presymptomatic Type 1 Diabetes

Codes within the E10.A1–E10.A9 range now allow for the identification of presymptomatic Type 1 diabetes, enabling early detection and preventive care for at-risk individuals.

History of Colon Polyps

New entries in the Z86.018–Z86.01A series distinguish between neoplastic and non-neoplastic colon polyps. These additions support improved colorectal cancer risk assessment and targeted screening.

Fanconi Anemia

Code D61.03 has been added for this rare genetic bone marrow disorder, now classified under complications and comorbidities for more accurate case categorization and billing.

Obesity Severity Categories

The revised codes within the E66.811 to E66.89 range offer a clearer classification of obesity according to its severity. Specifically, Class 1 applies to individuals with a BMI of 30–34.9, Class 2 refers to those with a BMI of 35–39.9, and Class 3 covers a BMI of 40 or above. This update enables healthcare professionals to more accurately evaluate obesity levels and develop customized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s condition.

Anorexia Nervosa Subtypes

Under F50.010–F50.029, new codes now separate binge-purge and restrictive subtypes of anorexia nervosa and include severity based on BMI, enabling precise clinical categorization.

Pulmonary Embolism Types

Four codes—I26.03–I26.04 and I26.95–I26.96—have been introduced to differentiate between fat and cement-related embolisms, improving documentation of complications from procedures like liposuction or orthopedic surgery.

Nasal Valve Collapse (NVC)

Seven codes in the J34.820–J34.827 range now indicate whether nasal valve collapse is internal/external and static/dynamic. This granularity supports accurate diagnoses and surgical planning.

Congenital Heart Anomalies

The Q23.81–Q23.88 series captures congenital heart conditions such as bicuspid aortic valve defects. The updates allow for better disease tracking and note any acquired valve diseases.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Adverse Events

Eighteen new codes (T45.X5A–T45.X5S) document poisoning, adverse reactions, and underdosing of immune checkpoint inhibitors—critical for monitoring modern cancer therapies.

Preparing for ICD-11: The Future of Medical Coding

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced ICD-11 as the successor to ICD-10. This updated coding system is designed to be more flexible and better suited for today's digital healthcare landscape. It integrates more seamlessly with electronic health records, streamlining clinical documentation for healthcare professionals. ICD-11 also features updated classifications that reflect recent advancements in medicine and evolving healthcare demands.

While ICD-11 is already available, many countries—including the United States—are still determining the timeline and approach for its implementation. To prepare, healthcare providers should begin taking proactive measures, such as training internal teams on the new coding structure, updating existing software systems, and educating staff about upcoming transitions. These efforts will help ensure a smoother shift to ICD-11 when the time comes.

Conclusion

ICD-10 revolutionized medical coding and documentation by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, improving data sharing, and streamlining billing processes. However, managing ICD-10 coding in-house can be complex, especially for busy clinics or hospitals with limited resources.

To simplify this process, many healthcare organizations are now turning to outsourced medical billing and coding services. Companies like 24/7 Medical Billing Services offer certified coding specialists, reduce coding errors, and improve reimbursement rates.

With ICD-11 on the horizon, having the right billing and coding partner can help your organization remain efficient, fully compliant, and financially successful.

Content Source: [https://www.247medicalbillingservices.com/blog/what-is-ICD-10]

For More Information:

Call us at +1 888-502-0537 or Sales: sales@247medicalbillingservices.com

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Visit at https://www.247medicalbillingservices...

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What Is ICD-10?

Discover how ICD-10 codes standardize diagnoses, simplify billing, and improve overall care quality for patients and healthcare providers.

[outsource-medical-billing]

What Is ICD-10?

Discover how ICD-10 codes standardize diagnoses, simplify billing, and improve overall care quality for patients and healthcare providers.

[outsource-medical-billing]

What Is ICD-10?

Discover how ICD-10 codes standardize diagnoses, simplify billing, and improve overall care quality for patients and healthcare providers.

[outsource-medical-billing]

Physicians Medical Billing Services In Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (OK)

Leading Physicians Billing Services provider in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (OK). 12+ years of expert in Medical Billing Services.

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Denied Claims and Delayed Payments: A Wake-Up Call for Urgent Care Billing

Recent data from the healthcare industry reveals that nearly 1 in 5 medical claims face denial upon first submission, and around 65% of those denied are never corrected or resubmitted. For urgent care centers—where profit margins are narrow and patient traffic is high—this can lead to substantial financial setbacks. A significant portion of these denials stem from avoidable issues such as manual entry mistakes, incorrect coding, and incomplete patient information.

Adding to the problem, payment delays have become increasingly common. Many urgent care providers report reimbursement cycles extending beyond 30 to 60 days, especially from private insurance companies. These delays can seriously affect cash flow, making it difficult to sustain staffing levels, purchase medical supplies, and cover day-to-day operations—ultimately threatening the long-term health of the facility.

This scenario should prompt urgent care leaders and billing teams to re-evaluate their revenue cycle management. The first critical step is identifying the key reasons behind claim denials and delayed payments. In the following sections, we’ll explore these challenges in detail and outline effective strategies to help resolve them.

How to Prevent Denied Claims and Payment Delays in Urgent Care Billing?

Denied claims and delayed reimbursements are major challenges in urgent care billing. These issues can disrupt cash flow, increase administrative work, and lead to patient dissatisfaction. Below are common causes and practical ways to address and avoid them:

Use of Outdated Billing Codes

Using incorrect, mismatched, or outdated codes can lead to claim rejections, lower reimbursements, or audits—especially in urgent care services like laceration repair, diagnostic tests, or injections.

Keep coding teams updated with urgent care-specific CPT, ICD-10, and HCPCS changes. Use coding software that reflects real-time updates and conduct frequent coding audits.

Lack of Follow-Up on Outstanding Claims

High patient loads and limited staff often cause urgent care centers to overlook unpaid claims, resulting in lost revenue. Implement a tracking system that categorizes unpaid claims by payer, age, and denial reason. Assign follow-up responsibility to billing staff to manage rework using specific payer protocols.

Problems with Provider Credentialing

Claims are often denied if providers aren’t enrolled or credentialed with payers, which is common in urgent care clinics that hire temporary or new staff. Maintain a centralized credentialing calendar and regularly review provider enrollment status. Audit your billing system to ensure NPIs and TINs are correctly assigned to each provider.

Failure to Verify Patient Insurance

Failure to verify patient insurance before treatment can result in providing non-covered services, denied claims, and unexpected costs for patients. Use real-time verification tools that confirm eligibility, copays, and authorization needs at the time of service. Integrated clearinghouse tools can help automate this process.

Ineffective Payer Contract Management

With multiple payer contracts, urgent care facilities may unknowingly submit claims with incorrect rates or outdated terms, leading to underpayments or denials. Keep all-payer contracts and fee schedules in a centralized system. Update contract details regularly and ensure billing systems reflect the current terms for each payer.

Insufficient Understanding of E/M Coding

E/M coding mistakes—such as incorrect level selection or insufficient documentation—are common in urgent care and lead to denials or lower payouts. Train providers and billing staff on 2021 E/M guidelines, especially on using time and decision-making for code selection. Perform routine E/M audits to ensure accuracy.

Incomplete or Inaccurate Patient Data

Due to the fast-paced intake process in urgent care, capturing incomplete or inaccurate patient or insurance data is common and leads to billing delays. Train front-desk staff to collect and confirm all required patient and coverage details. Electronic tools can assist in verifying eligibility and reducing manual errors.

Errors in Submitting Claim Forms

Mistakes such as wrong POS codes (like POS 20 for urgent care), mismatched provider info, or missing modifiers may lead to rejections or underpayments. Use billing software with claim scrubbing features to detect issues before submission. Provide ongoing training on urgent care billing documentation and coding rules.

Billing Issues Related to Temporary Healthcare Staff

Temporary staff or locum tenens must be billed correctly. Failing to apply the proper modifier or exceeding the allowed time frame results in denials. Train your team on CMS rules, such as using Modifier Q6 and respecting the 60-day locum limit. Track usage duration and keep clear records for compliance.

Inadequate Staffing in Billing Department

A small or overwhelmed billing team may delay claim processing, miss follow-ups, and cause more errors, affecting revenue and operational flow. Review staff capacity regularly and scale the billing team as needed. You can also outsource to 24/7 Medical Billing Services for experienced support in urgent care billing and denial handling.

Is Outsourcing the Ultimate Solution?

To minimize errors and speed up collections, many urgent care providers choose to outsource their billing operations. Partnering with a trusted company like 24/7 Medical Billing Services ensures expert handling of CPT coding, timely claim submissions, and aggressive follow-up on denials. Our team understands urgent care payer policies, coding rules, and compliance protocols—helping your practice maintain financial stability and stay focused on delivering quality patient care.

Content Source: [https://www.247medicalbillingservices.com/blog/denied-claims-and-delayed-payments-a-wake-up-call-for-urgent-care-billing]

For More Information:

Call us at +1 888-502-0537 or Sales: sales@247medicalbillingservices.com

Support: info@247medicalbillingservices.com

Visit at https://www.247medicalbillingservices...

Our Office Locations:

Ohio: 28405 Osborn Road, Cleveland, OH, 44140

Texas: 2028 E Ben White Blvd, #240-1030 Austin TX, 78741

Subscribe @247medicalbillingservices

Follow us on social media channels-

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/247MBS

Twitter: https://x.com/247MBServices

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/247mbs/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/24-7-medical-billing-services/

[outsource-medical-billing]

Denied Claims and Delayed Payments: A Wake-Up Call for Urgent Care Billing

Discover the top reasons for denied claims and delayed payments in urgent care billing and learn about the actionable solutions to improve your revenue cycle.

[outsource-medical-billing]

Denied Claims and Delayed Payments: A Wake-Up Call for Urgent Care Billing

Discover the top reasons for denied claims and delayed payments in urgent care billing and learn about the actionable solutions to improve your revenue cycle.

[outsource-medical-billing]

Denied Claims and Delayed Payments: A Wake-Up Call for Urgent Care Billing

Discover the top reasons for denied claims and delayed payments in urgent care billing and learn about the actionable solutions to improve your revenue cycle.