The AMA announced several changes coming to maternity care service codes for the 2027 CPT code set in a move aimed to allow care to be reported more specifically across all phases of pregnancy. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Medical coding message forums can help coders find the answers to tough coding scenarios and keep claims moving. But remind everyone on your team to make sure their request for help doesn’t create compliance risks or endanger their employment.
The Office of the Inspector General announced it is launching a new audit of evaluation and management services billed on the same day as minor procedures effective March 16, 2026.
Several updates to the Ambulatory Surgical Center payment system recently went into effect, so ensure that your staff knows about these changes, including new HCPCS codes, a deleted code, and revisions.
Hospitals have had a more complex time attempting to retain fair DRG payment by defending both the documented clinical diagnoses established by the treating provider and the corresponding codes in written appeal. Julie Dagen, RHIA, CCDS, CCS, seeks to address some key aspects of compliant hospital navigation through the rough waters of DRG denials.
Compared to recent past years, CMS proposed fewer ICD-10-CM code changes in the 2027 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule, including 184 new codes, 4 revised code descriptions, and 30 invalidated codes.
ICD-11 elevates SDOH and other contextual factors into a more standardized, digital-first framework that can support the next generation of equity measurement, population health analytics, and financing models. Learn how ICD-11 SDOH coding is not just a classification change–it is an enabler of strategic goals in population health, financial sustainability, and equitable care delivery.
Q: How do coders determine whether to assign an ICD-10-CM P code (for maternal conditions affecting the newborn) or a Z code (for factors influencing health status) for a newborn?
From a coding perspective, accurate reporting of artificial openings is essential because it communicates critical information about a patient’s anatomy, clinical status, and the level of care required. Coders must distinguish between a stable, well-functioning artificial opening (status), active management or attention to the opening, and true complications, as each circumstance is classified differently within ICD-10-CM. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
