A large number of the code additions in ICD-10-CM appear in the musculoskeletal section. While fractures account for some of those changes, coders also need to understand how coding for other orthopedic conditions will change in ICD-10-CM. Kristi Stanton, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, and Kim Carr, RHIT, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, discuss ICD-10-CM coding for sprains, strains, and dislocations.
In its latest survey of the healthcare industry's ICD-10 readiness, the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) found that this year's delay negatively impacted provider progress, with two-thirds reporting slowing down or putting implementation initiatives on hold as a result.
ICD-10 implementation and coding present plenty of challenges, especially when it comes to ICD-10-PCS. Sue Bowman, RHIA, CCS, and Donna Smith, RHIA, clear up some misconceptions about ICD-10 implementation and use.
CMS recently updated the Medicare Claims Processing Manual , with changes announced in Transmittal 3020 , to include ICD-10-specific language ahead of next year's implementation.
The 2015 IPPS final rule focused on quality measures. James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, CDIP, and Cheryl Ericson, MS, RN, CCDS, CDI-P, highlight the changes and explain the role of coding in quality scores.
CMS is introducing four new HCPCS modifiers to specifically define subsets of modifier -59 (distinct procedural service), the most frequently used modifier.
Modifier -25 (significant, separately identifiable E/M service by the same physician on the day of a procedure) is used to distinguish visits from procedures on the same day. It is not used to distinguish observation from a visit service on the same day.
