The sheer number and detail of new fracture codes in ICD-10-CM is daunting, leaving many coders to wonder-and worry-about whether physicians will document the information they need to assign the correct codes.
Coders may be surprised by the expansion and reorganization of codes for diabetes in ICD-10-CM. Pamela Rand, RD, LDN, Bonnie S. Cassidy, MPA, RHIA, FAHIMA, FHIMSS, and Laura Legg, RHIT, CCS, discuss the differences between coding diabetes in ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.
With the increased specificity required for ICD-10-CM coding, coders need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology. To help coders prepare for the upcoming transition, we will provide an occasional article about specific anatomical locations and body parts as part of a larger series for ICD-10-CM preparation. This month’s column addresses the anatomy of the skull.
Thinking about exiting the coding profession before the transition to ICD-10? Laura Legg, RHIT, CCS, enjoys coding too much to give it up and offers some tips for how to prepare for the transition.
Sometimes people do their homework with setting up a new system, and sometimes they don't. Sometimes they do their homework, but not enough of it, and billions of dollars of wasteful spending occurs that could be avoided. But "they" won't listen.
Some of the most significant changes in cardiovascular coding in ICD-10-CM involve coding for myocardial infarctions (MI). Laura Legg, RHIT, CCS , and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, review new guidelines and specificity involved in ICD-10-CM MI coding.
Pain is an expected component of injuries, illnesses, and surgical procedures. Let's face it, breaking your leg hurts. In some instances, however, the patient's pain is unexpected or is worse than predicted. Sometimes, the pain can last well beyond the time it should have resolved.
After several delays, ICD-10 implementation is finally upon us. The healthcare industry has spent years planning, training, and testing--and now the moment we have all been waiting for has arrived. But don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet.
On the surface, you may think that transitioning from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM for reporting schizophrenia, schizoid personality, and bipolar disorders is a dramatic change. However, Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, reveals that with some minor adjustments, the change can be a smooth one.
CMS officially declared October 1, 2015, the new ICD-10 implementation date with the publication of a final rule, "Administrative Simplification: Change to the Compliance Date for the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Medical Data Code Sets," in the August 4 Federal Register .