ICD-10-CM coding for respiratory illnesses requires a solid understanding of clinical indicators and coding guidelines. Review documentation and guidance for reporting acute respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, and pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Lena Wilson, MHI, RHIA, CCS, CCDS , takes a deep dive into the CDI/coding reconciliation process and outlines tips that coders and CDI professionals can apply to improve this process.
Coding for newborn services can be complicated due to detailed examinations and therapeutic treatments performed after delivery. Sarah Nehring, RHIA, CCS, CCDS , breaks down ICD-10-CM coding for newborn encounters and reviews new codes for newborn apnea that took effect October 1.
As the shift to outpatient care has accelerated, likely due to COVID-19, inpatient volumes continue to remain below pre-pandemic levels for hospitals and health systems this year, according to Kaufman Hall’s 2022 State of Healthcare Performance Improvement report.
Social determinants of health ICD-10-CM codes have become more of a hot topic in the CDI world over the past few years. Review guidance for reporting personal circumstances such as income, wealth, and education that impact health and wellbeing.
Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the second leading cause of death worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Unpack clinical documentation and ICD-10-CM coding for various types of CVA. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
A recent medical record review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open found that between October 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, providers used ICD-10-CM code U09.9 (post-COVID-19 condition, unspecified) to identify a multitude of post-acute conditions brought on by COVID-19.
Pregnancy causes changes to the immune system that increase the risk of infection and sepsis during pregnancy, labor, and the puerperium. Sarah Nehring, BS, RHIT, CCS, CCDS , analyzes ICD-10-CM documentation and coding for sepsis after childbirth.
Coders must be familiar with ICD-10-CM reporting guidelines for common neurological conditions. This article unpacks recent updates to the nervous system chapter of ICD-10-CM including 14 new codes for autonomic conditions and fatigue syndromes. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Respiratory failure occurs when the body is unable to provide oxygen to or remove carbon dioxide from the body. Alba Kuqi, MD, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, CRCR, CICA, CSCM , breaks down documentation and ICD-10-CM coding for acute and chronic respiratory failure.
A recent review of inpatient medical records published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open from 463 hospitals found significant increases in pregnancy-related complications and maternal death during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A properly calibrated audit tool is key to uncovering educational opportunities for coding and CDI professionals. Dawn Valdez, RN, LNC, CDIP, CCDS, outlines questions for determining an audit focus and for querying providers when documentation is insufficient to support medical necessity.
The 2023 ICD-10-PCS code update includes 331 new codes and 64 code deletions that take effect this week. This article takes a close look at new ICD-10-PCS codes and guidelines for amputations, laser ablation, and aortic valve replacements. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Audits are crucial to helping CDI and coding teams stay up to date with the fast pace of medicine and continual changes to coding guidelines. Dawn Valdez, RN, LNC, CDIP, CCDS , writes about best practices for auditing and application of audit findings .
Hospitals and health systems have recently seen some of the worst margins since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kaufman Hall’s National Hospital Flash report .
Coders must be familiar with updates to the ICD-10-CM/PCS code sets for fiscal year 2023 . Audrey Howard, RHIA , reviews new codes and reporting guidelines for dementia, care complications, and vascular procedures as well as updates to MS-DRGs.
Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition that occurs when the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. Brush up on ICD-10-CM coding for the condition and ICD-10-PCS coding for surgical procedures used to treat it. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Social determinants of health such as economic stability and access to education significantly impacting health outcomes. Kim Conner, BSN, RN, CCDS, CCDS-O , outlines potentially confusing ICD-10-CM guidelines and documentation challenges that complicate coding for social determinants.
A rise in patient acuity during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to significant growth in hospital costs, according to a recent report by the American Hospital Association (AHA).
Q: Does documentation for a drug or alcohol use disorder need to specifically state “in remission,” or is a history of drug use sufficient to classify the condition as in remission?
Debridement is used to treat serious or chronic wounds that do not heal with standard treatment. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBG , describes five types of debridement and how to report these procedures in ICD-10-PCS.
Malnutrition includes undernutrition, inadequate vitamins or minerals, overnutrition, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases. Inpatient coders must be familiar with clinical criteria and ICD-10-CM coding for this condition as it is frequently the focus of clinical validation audits. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Bronchus, lung, and lymph node biopsies are often performed via a bronchoscopic technique. Sarah Nehring, BS, RHIT, CCS, CCDS , breaks down ICD-10-PCS coding for brush, transbronchial fine needle aspiration, and transbronchial forceps biopsies.
A recent audit conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) found that Cariten Health Plan Inc. in Knoxville, Tennessee, received at least $9.2 million in net overpayments from 2016 to 2017 for incorrectly submitting selected high-risk diagnosis codes.
Q: Why isn't a secondary diagnosis of morbid obesity considered a complication or comorbidity (CC) by CMS? What obesity diagnoses are classified as CCs by CMS?
Inpatient coders have malnutrition on their mental list of diagnoses at risk of audits. Learn how to effectively work with dieticians and CDI staff to ensure accurate documentation and ICD-10-CM coding for malnutrition.
Q: When would you report an ICD-10-CM code from category I22 (subsequent ST elevation and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction [MI]) with a code from I21 (acute MI)?
Bronchoscopy is often performed in conjunction with other therapeutic procedures for the treatment of lung problems. Sarah Nehring, BS, RHIT, CCS, CCDS , breaks down ICD-10-PCS coding for bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and suction of a mucus plug.
CMS released the fiscal year (FY) 2023 IPPS final rule on August 1, increasing hospital payment rates by 4.3% and establishing three health equity-focused measures in hospital quality programs.
A spinal fusion is used to permanently connect two or more vertebrae, eliminating motion between them. Read up on ICD-10-PCS guidance for reporting spinal fusions based on key details in the operative note. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Twenty-five percent of hospitalized Medicare patients experience patient harm, and 43% of those harm events could have been prevented, according to a recent Office of Inspector General (OIG) report.
Hospital coders must be able to determine the reason for an admission and to differentiate conditions present on admission (POA) from those that develop during an inpatient stay. Learn how to effectively decipher documentation to identify the principal diagnosis and conditions that were POA.
Determining the most specific ICD-10-PCS code for a procedural service can be tricky given that there are 34 character values and over 78,000 ICD-10-PCS codes for 2022. This article breaks down potentially confusing ICD-10-PCS guidelines for obstetric and cardiovascular procedures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome are historically difficult to document and report in ICD-10-CM. Alba Kuqi, MD, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, CRCR, CICA, CSCM , breaks down sepsis definitions and outlines a process for query creation.
In an industry that changes both quickly and frequently, keeping staff educated is important not only for your healthcare system, but for your employees’ professional growth. Catherine Sheika, BSN, RN, CCDS, writes about coding and team-building games that make even the driest topics more engaging.
Peoples Health Network received an estimated $3.3 million in overpayments between 2015 and 2016 for incorrectly billing ICD-10-CM codes from high-risk groups, according to a recent audit by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).
A handful of new ICD-10-CM/PCS codes took effect April 1. Read up on the updates and CMS’ process for implementing code changes biannually. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Coders in acute care facilities must be comfortable assigning ICD-10-CM/PCS codes for abortions. Sarah Nehring, BS, RHIT, CCS, CCDS , breaks down ICD-10-CM/PCS codes for spontaneous and induced abortions and related complications.
Coding a chart with a sepsis diagnosis requires careful attention to detail. Alba Kuqi, MD, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, CRCR, CICA, CSCM , reviews sepsis documentation, ICD-10-CM coding requirements, and quality measures for public reporting.
Cranial diagnoses present with varied symptoms and require an individualized approach to treatment. Brush up on documentation and ICD-10-CM/PCS coding for neuroendoscopy, posterior fossa decompression, and embolectomy/thrombectomy procedures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Hospitals have made avoiding and managing denials a top priority, but for many, their best efforts have yet to turn the tide. Take steps to address compliance concerns and reduce denial rates.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released the fiscal year (FY) 2023 ICD-10-CM code set and ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting , introducing new codes and guidance for reporting dementia, head injuries, and long-term drug therapy.
