Walton Family Medicine

12/25/2025

12/23/2025

A Very Chaotic Christmas ICD-10 Adventure

On the Eighth day of Christmas.

Cocoa Chaos

ICD-10 Code X10.0: Contact with hot drinks (e.g., cocoa)

Santa spilled hot cocoa on himself trying to avoid a busy elf

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving.

10/31/2025

ICD-10 Halloween fun!
The medical coding term for ICD-10 code R46.2 is "Strange and inexplicable behavior". This code falls under the broader category of "Symptoms and signs involving appearance and behavior" and is used to describe patient behavior that seems unusual to others, such as bizarre body posture or walking style.
Code description: Strange and inexplicable behavior.
Purpose: To classify symptoms that are not elsewhere classified and involve unusual behavior.
Usage: This code is billable for reimbursement purposes, but should be supported by clear documentation.
Exclusions: It's important to note that this code should not be used for symptoms related to certain diagnosed mental disorders, such as schizophrenia.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween!

10/16/2025

Open enrollment has started. Call Kyle Jr. for assitance with selecting a new plan.

10/16/2025

10/16/2025

As flu season begins, make sure you are washing your hands.

Handwashing is one of the simplest, most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It protects you, your family, and your community with just water, soap, and 20 seconds.

10/03/2025

Coding Clarified Medical Terminology Word of the Day!

Laminectomy
lam·​i·​nec·​to·​my
Surgical removal of the posterior arch of a vertebra (as to relieve compression of a spinal nerve root)

AI Overview
For laminectomies, you would use a CPT code like 63045 for a posterior extradural laminectomy and a relevant ICD-10 diagnosis code for the reason for the surgery, such as M48.06 for lumbar spinal stenosis. You may also need to use codes for conditions arising from a previous laminectomy, like M96.1 for postlaminectomy syndrome or M96.3 for postlaminectomy kyphosis.
CPT Codes (Procedures)
These codes describe the surgical procedure performed.
CPT 63045:
Posterior extradural laminotomy or laminectomy for exploration/decompression of neural elements or excision of herniated intervertebral disks.
Other CPT codes:
Other specific codes might apply depending on whether the laminectomy was performed for a re-herniation, was bilateral, or was performed in conjunction with another procedure like fusion.
ICD-10 Codes (Diagnoses)
These codes provide the reason for the laminectomy.
M48.06:
Spinal stenosis, lumbar region.
M51.16:
Intervertebral disc disorders with myelopathy, lumbar region.
M96.1:
Postlaminectomy syndrome, not elsewhere classified, for symptoms after a laminectomy.
M96.3:
Postlaminectomy kyphosis.
Important Considerations
Documentation is Key:
The specific CPT and ICD-10 codes depend on the surgeon's documentation, including the reason for the procedure and the specific findings.
Specificity:
Choose the most specific diagnosis and procedure codes to accurately reflect the patient's condition and the services provided.
Excludes Notes:
Always review Excludes1 and Excludes2 notes within the ICD-10-CM code set, especially for codes like M96.1 and M96.3, to ensure correct coding.

09/27/2025

We are so proud of 2 of our nurses, taking control of their health and winning 2nd and 3rd place in the Loganville Police donut dash today. Congrats Tammie Root Sharpe and Michele Pannell.

09/23/2025

Alright — let’s unpack HIPAA in the context of a parent trying to access an adult child’s health information, especially when that child has a brain disorder.
1. What HIPAA Actually Says

HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a person’s medical information.
For adults (18+), parents are not automatically entitled to see their child’s medical records or talk to their doctors — even if the child still lives at home or the parent pays the bills.
Doctors and hospitals generally can only share health information with someone else if:

The patient gives permission (usually through a signed HIPAA release form).

It’s an emergency and the patient is unable to make decisions (called “incapacitated”).

State law gives special rights in certain situations.

2. HIPAA Pathways for Parental Access

Here are the main legal doors that might open under HIPAA:
A. Written Authorization

The adult child signs a HIPAA release form naming the parent as an “authorized representative.”

This can be broad (all medical information) or limited (just for one provider, one condition, or one time period).

Without it, the parent’s access will be restricted.

B. Involvement in Care

HIPAA allows providers to share relevant information with a family member if the patient agrees verbally, or if the provider decides it’s in the patient’s best interest and the patient does not object.

This is often used for care coordination — e.g., discussing medication schedules or hospital discharge plans.

C. Incapacity or Emergency

If the patient is unconscious, psychotic, or otherwise unable to communicate informed consent, HIPAA permits providers to share relevant information with someone involved in their care.

This is based on the provider’s professional judgment — but once the patient regains decision-making ability, the information flow stops unless they give consent.

D. Legal Authority (Overrides HIPAA Privacy)

Healthcare Power of Attorney (POA) — if the adult child has signed a POA naming the parent as agent, the parent can access records and make decisions if the child is incapacitated.

Guardianship/Conservatorship — court-appointed authority that gives legal rights to manage medical care, sometimes permanently.

Advance Directive — a document where the adult child specifies who can see their records and make decisions.

3. Special Challenge with Brain Disorders

Some brain disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anosognosia) can cause the person to refuse consent because they don’t believe they’re ill.
This creates a legal brick wall unless:

The provider sees the patient as incapacitated at that moment, or

The parent already has a POA, guardianship, or court order.

4. Practical Tips for Parents

Have the conversation early — ask your adult child to sign a HIPAA release during periods of stability.

Targeted releases — sometimes people are more willing to allow limited sharing (e.g., only about medications, not full notes).

Emergency info — give your contact details to providers and state you’re involved in care; even without a release, they may contact you in a crisis.

Know state laws — some states give extra rights in mental health care situations.

Consider legal tools — consult an attorney about POA or guardianship before a crisis.