CMS' introduction of the 2-midnight rule in the 2014 IPPS final rule makes properly identifying inpatient-only procedures even more important for hospitals.
CMS' 2015 IPPS proposed rule, released April 30, focuses on quality measures, such as HAC reduction, readmissions reduction, and hospital value-based purchasing (VBP) programs.
When Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, it mandated at least a one-year delay in ICD-10 implementation. Members of the Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies editorial board, who represent a wide range of industry stakeholders, offered their thoughts on two questions related to the delay.
In an ideal world, all coders and CDI specialists would get along well and work together with minimal conflict. No one is going to agree all of the time, nor should they. A healthy, respectful dialogue can lead to a better understanding of the patient's clinical condition and result in more accurately coded records.
ICD-10-CM root operations excision and resection are sometimes hard to differentiate. ICD-10-PCS defines excision (B) as cutting out or off, without replacement, a portion of a body part. Resection (T) is almost identical, but involves cutting out or off the entire body part.
Different studies using different methodologies all point to the same conclusion: Coder productivity will decrease after the switch to ICD-10. However, no one knows what will happen to coding accuracy.
ICD-10-PCS is a whole new ball game for inpatient coders. Everything will change. Coders have been hearing that almost constantly since CMS announced the first ICD-10 implementation date in 2009.
Coders may find assigning codes for sepsis somewhat easier in ICD-10-CM, but they will still face some challenges. The first of those challenges, and probably the biggest, centers on physician documentation.
CMS released its FY 2014 IPPS final rule in August, and with it comes a whole slew of changes for inpatient hospitals. Set aside a good amount of time to scroll through the 2,000-plus page document. Yes, that's right: There are more than 2,000 pages of information to absorb before the rule goes into effect on October 1, 2013.
