Every few years, the AHA publishes guidance in Coding Clinic that can significantly affect inpatient coders. Coding Clinic , Second Quarter 2012, includes such guidance.
As you may know, ICD-9-CM V codes have been expanded to include higher body mass indexes (BMI). More specifically, code category V85.4x denotes a BMI of 40 or more in an adult. How can you calculate BMI?
Information received by TMF Quality Institute during the past year indicates that 61% of hospitals use PEPPER data to guide their auditing process and help them focus on areas of potential vulnerability.
Cross-training coders has definitive short-term advantages, such as enhancing staff coverage during holidays and vacations and increasing the department's ability to handle periods of fluctuation in certain bill types, but these aren't the only benefits.
