One of the advantages to coding in ICD-10-CM is how much information is packed into a single code. You’ll find combination codes throughout the ICD-10-CM Manual. In many cases, you are coding the...
Some things you are accustomed to in ICD-9-CM will remain the same in ICD-10-CM. One rather obscure convention that exists in ICD-9-CM that also carries over to ICD-10-CM is the use of the word “and...
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) has urged CMS not to delay ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation in its February 23 letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius . Meanwhile, the...
Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Alabama, doesn't want providers penalized for ICD-10 "errors, mistakes, and malfunctions relating to the transition" for two years after implementation. Unfortunately, it doesn't...
Hypertension has always been a pet peeve of mine as a coder in ICD-9. We have three different fourth digits to identify the following “types” of hypertension: Malignant (0 ) Benign (1) Unspecified (9...
The first day of AHIMA’s ICD-10 and CAC Summit is in the books and although attendance is down this year, the speakers have provided some good food for thought. Here are some briefs highlights from...
ICD-10-PCS requires coders to possess strong clinical knowledge as well as a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology. Coders need to understand what physicians are actually doing in certain...
CMS has released the 2011 versions of the ICD-10-CM/PCS crosswalks, also known as the General Equivalence Mappings (GEM) on its ICD-10 website . In addition, CMS also posted a document titled “ICD-10...
Some body parts just need a little reinforcement. Or maybe a little augmentation. Use root operation Supplement (third character U) to report procedures that involve putting in or on biological or...
CMS is looking at the timeline for ICD-10 implementation, acting administrator Marilyn Tavenner told attendees at the American Medical Association (AMA) National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC...
