Inpatient Articles

Below is a complete listing of all Inpatient articles that have appeared in JustCoding News.

  • Don't let the three-day rule wreak havoc at your facility

    April 21, 2013

    The three-day rule defines certain preadmission outpatient services as inpatient operating costs that are covered and paid under the IPPS. Kimberly Anderwood Hoy, JD, CPC, and Valerie A. Rinkle, MPA, unravel the complex conditions associated with the rule.

  • Coding vs. clinical significance: What coders need to know

    April 21, 2013

    Distinguishing between clinical and coding significance is often confusing. Joel Moorhead, MD, PhD, CPC, discusses how coders should differentiate between the two.

  • Use caution when reporting unrelated DRGs

    April 21, 2013

    DRGs for procedures unrelated to the principal diagnosis should occur rarely. Robert S. Gold, MD, and Cheryl Ericson, MS, RN, CCDS, CDIP, explain when it is appropriate to report an unrelated DRG.

  • Healthcare News: CMS reduces minimum number of RA requests

    April 21, 2013

    CMS seems to be giving hospitals somewhat of a reprieve when it comes to Recovery Auditor (RA) denials.

  • Q&A: Introducing new information in a query

    April 21, 2013

    Q: Is it appropriate to introduce new information in a multiple choice-formatted query?

  • Get to know the ICD-10-PCS root operations

    April 9, 2013

    Choosing the correct root operation may be one of the most challenging aspects of ICD-10-PCS. Sandra Macica, MS, RHIA, CCS, and Kristi Stanton, RHIT, CCS, CPC, define some of the root operations in the surgical section of ICD-10-PCS and explain when to report them.

  • Will computer-assisted coding help mitigate productivity losses in ICD-10-CM/PCS?

    April 9, 2013

    Many organizations are concerned about the expected drop in coder productivity after the transition to ICD-10. Angie Comfort, RHIT, CDIP, CCS, discusses the pros and cons of using computer-assisted coding to help offset those productivity losses.

  • Manage change to prepare for ICD-10-CM/PCS

    April 9, 2013

    Change is consistently a part of HIM and coding. Rules, regulations, and codes change yearly and sometimes quarterly. Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, reveals why the switch to ICD-10 is different from the annual changes coders are used to and how coders and organizations can prepare.

  • Healthcare News: CMS continues to provide ICD-10 resources

    April 9, 2013

    Three out of four providers have completed only 25% or less of their ICD-10-CM/PCS conversion process, according to an ICD-10 snapshot survey conducted by the Aloft Group in February. However, CMS and others are busy helping to ensure that providers and payers are ready for the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS.

  • Q&A: ICD-10-CM seventh character extensions for fractures

    April 9, 2013

    Q: Using the ICD-10-CM guidelines for the seventh character extensions for fracture codes, how should I identify each of the following?

    • Avascular necrosis following fracture
    • Cast change or removal
    • Emergency treatment
    • Evaluation and management by a new physician
    • Follow-up visits following fracture treatment
    • Infection on open fracture site
    • Malunion of fracture
    • Nonunion of fracture
    • Medication adjustment
    • Patient delayed seeking treatment for the fracture or nonunion
    •  Removal of external of internal fixation device
    • Surgical treatment