Adrienne Commeree, CPC, CPMA, CCS, CEMC, CPIP, writes that when reporting Alzheimer’s, understanding the disease and its symptoms is important for coders, as entries in the ICD-10-CM alphabetic index can be confusing. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Shannon McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CRD, CCDS, writes that while the fiscal year (FY) 2019 IPPS proposed rule is considering the downgrade of ICD-10-CM code B20 (human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] disease) from an MCC to a CC, it does not mean that diagnosing and coding for HIV has lessened in complexity.
The fiscal year (FY) 2019 IPPS proposed rule includes updates to payment rates and quality initiatives, but some of the most extensive changes pertain to MCC and CC additions and deletions.
Allen Frady, RN-BSN, CCDS, CCS, CRC, reviews various guidance related to clinical validation to help coders and CDI teams better navigate the complex topic.
A common question that coders often ask is when to report a secondary diagnosis. In part one of this two-part series, Gloryanne Bryant, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCDS , looks at the general coding guidelines related to secondary diagnosis coding found in the 2018 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting.
James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, writes that the various approaches hospital systems use to optimize their DRG-based case-mix index or HCC-based risk adjustment factor scores will likely conflict with how an accountability agent will see those measurements.
CMS released the fiscal year (FY) 2019 IPPS proposed rule on Tuesday, April 24, with significant reductions to reporting requirements for quality initiatives and expected ICD-10-CM/PCS code and MS-DRG updates.
Allen Frady, RN-BSN, CCDS, CCS, CRC, writes about guidance related to documenting acute respiratory insufficiency and gives tips to coders and CDI teams on what to do when the conditions are over-documented postoperatively.