If coders choose the wrong root operation in ICD-10-PCS, they will arrive at an incorrect code. Nena Scott, MSEd, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, Gretchen Young-Charles, RHIA, Anita Rapier, RHIT, CCS, and Nelly Leon-Chisen, RHIA, discuss some of the root operation clarifications offered by Coding Clinic .
The ICD-10 implementation delay mandated by Congress this spring granted providers an extra year to prepare their coders and clinicians on the requirements of the new code set, but a recent survey has found some organizations heading in the wrong direction.
When a physician closes off varices, coders must determine the location and method the physician used to correctly build an ICD-10-PCS code. Nena Scott, MSEd, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, and Gretchen Young-Charles, RHIA, review the components of different procedures for closing off varices and how to code those procedures in ICD-10-PCS.
Obstetric coding has always been challenging for coders and coding multiple births is particularly difficult. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA COBGC, reviews how coding for multiple births differs between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.
Queries will no doubt increase due to the increased specificity in ICD-10-PCS. John C. Alexander Jr., MD, MBA, James Fee, MD, CCS, CCDS, and George W. Wood II, MD, offer insight into which specialties will be most impacted and how coders can talk to surgeons about the query process.
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." ?Dr. Seuss This quote seemed an appropriate way to begin a discussion about outpatient encounters and ICD-10-PCS. You see, outpatient procedures will still be coded using CPT ® /HCPCS?the HIPAA-approved code set for reporting hospital outpatient procedures?regardless of when ICD-10 is implemented.
Unfortunately, ICD-10-PCS is not very comparable to the current ICD-9-CM volume 3 codes inpatient coders currently use. But coders shouldn’t despair, according to Sandy Nicholson, MA, RHIA, Jennifer Avery, CCS, CPC-H, CPC, CPC-I and Robert S. Gold, MD —ICD-10-PC coding may even be fun once coders get the hang of it.
ICD-10-PCS will be a big change for inpatient coders. The best way to learn the new coding system is to practice, practice, practice. See how well you know ICD-10-PCS by assigning all applicable ICD-10-PCS codes for the following case.
Nervous or worried about the upcoming transition to ICD-10-PCS? Don’t be. Charlotte Lane, RHIA, CCS, and Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, offer up tips to reduce your anxiety about the new coding system.
BCCS recently spoke with advisory board member Gloryanne Bryant, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, about the role of state HIM associations in ICD-10-CM/PCS coder education. The following is a summary of that conversation. Bryant serves as the president of the California Health Information Association (CHIA), which has approximately 5,000 members to date. For more information, visit http://californiahia.org .
