We as coders, clinical documentation specialists, and compliance officers, are actively invested in coding compliance, aren't we? AHIMA and ACDIS emphasize coding compliance in their codes of ethics. If we aren't interested in coding compliance, why are we reading newsletters named Briefings in Coding Compliance Strategies and other similar publications?
The accurate capture of acute respiratory failure has been a long-standing challenge for CDI programs. The accurate reporting of this condition as a post-procedural event can be even more difficult.
The American Hospital Association recently released its response to CMS’ FY 2017 IPPS proposed rule. The letter, which was sent to CMS’ acting administrator Andrew Slavitt, was presented on behalf of approximately 5,000 AHA member facilities and 43,000 individual members.
Q: Is it appropriate to assign ICD-10-CM code Y95 (nosocomial condition) based on the documentation of healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) or hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)? It is appropriate to assign the code for documented healthcare-associated conditions. Should this still be queried for specificity, and should the hospital-acquired condition (i.e., pneumonia) be coded as bacterial, viral, or something else?
Since the physician doesn't need to use a specific root operation term in documentation, coders should not rely solely on the term the physician uses. Coders need to know the definitions and the nuances of the root operations, especially those involving a device.
Laurie L. Prescott, MSN, RN, CCDS, CDIP, provides coders with tips on coding heart failure, obstetrics, and linking language, and also offers the latest guidance given by AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS ® on these topics.
Q: Can a hospital that is not a critical access hospital (CAH) bill professional charges on UB-04 claims, Type of Bill (TOB) 013X? I have not read anywhere that hospitals cannot bill this way, but usually when discussing revenue 96X and other professional revenue codes there is mention of CAHs only.
Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, writes about the types of treatment for infertility for both men and women, highlighting the associated diagnosis and procedure codes used to report them.
Providers must link the medical necessity of the treatment they give to the documented diagnoses or they may not get paid. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, CDIP, looks at how to ensure medical necessity is proven for fertility services.