CMS’ 2015 IPPS proposed rule , released April 30, focuses on quality measures, such as the hospital-acquired condition (HAC) reduction, readmissions reduction, and hospital value-based purchasing and hospital readmissions reduction programs.
ICD-10-PCS root operations Control and Repair are used when a procedure doesn’t really fit into a different root operation. Nena Scott, MSEd, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS , discuss when coders should use these two root operations.
Q: ICD-9-CM includes Pott’s fracture as an alternate term for a bimalleolar fracture. However, ICD-10-CM doesn’t include that term in either the Alphabetic Index or the Tabular List. If the physician documents a Pott’s fracture, can we automatically use the code for bimalleolar fractures in ICD-10-CM, even though the term is not in the index?
ICD-10-PCS differs significantly from ICD-9-CM procedure coding, but fortunately, the Cooperating Parties are providing plenty of guidelines. Laura Legg, RHIT, CCS, discusses some of the key ICD-10-PCS guidelines and why coders should learn them.
New clinical guidelines for malnutrition could help alleviate compliance challenges associated with coding the condition, which has never had universally accepted clinical criteria. Jane White, James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, CDIP, and Alice Zentner, RHIA, describe the new guidelines and what coders need to know about malnutrition coding.
Depending on the demographics of the region a hospital serves, its coders could determine code assignment for hundreds of deliveries and pregnancy-related services annually — reviewing coding guidelines is helpful.
Q: I am having trouble with ICD-10-PCS coding for a perineal laceration repair. Some sources state that the correct code uses the perineal anatomic region, not muscle repair. Could you please clarify the correct ICD-10-PCS code for a second-degree obstetrical (perineum) laceration that includes muscle?
The Cooperating Parties made the last regular update to the ICD-9-CM codes October 1, 2011, but they are still adding codes for new technologies each year. The updates are considerably smaller than the regular updates, but coders still need to be aware of them.
