Drug overdose deaths in the United States declined for the third consecutive year in 2025, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The decline marks the longest sustained reduction in overdose deaths in decades and brings the national total back to roughly the level seen in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond capturing primary and secondary diagnoses, what goes into a record can hugely impact how a patient is cared for both now and in the future, as well as the trajectory of a community’s health at large. See why it’s essential to go beyond surface-level knowledge and gain a true understanding of how and why SDOH data is important to track, especially for pediatric patients.
Accurate coding for liver failure requires much more than selecting the correct ICD-10-CM code—it demands an understanding of liver function, disease progression, clinical indicators, and documentation nuances. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
This article examines two examples—bone marrow transplantation and lung transplantation—to illustrate the similarities and differences in coding transplant encounters. These examples demonstrate how transplant coding is largely driven by transplant status, the reason for the encounter, and the presence or absence of transplant-related complications, while highlighting the unique coding considerations associated with specific transplant types. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19 are both types of respiratory viruses, and the symptoms can be very similar and overlap each other. Shontia Leon-Guerrero, CPC, CEDC, CEMC, CPC-I Educator, reviews the signs and symptoms of both conditions in infants and children as well as what coders need to know such as diagnosis codes, procedure codes for vaccine administration, and documentation expectations.
One of the challenges in coding personality disorders is that the terminology used in clinical documentation may not always match the formal diagnostic title listed in ICD-10-CM. Understanding the clarifying and inclusion terms associated with personality disorder codes helps ensure accurate code assignment, reduces the risk of miscoding similar-sounding disorders, and supports complete and compliant clinical documentation. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Human immunodeficiency virus is a chronic viral infection with clinical manifestations that can range from an asymptomatic infection to AIDS, the most advanced stage of the disease. Because HIV-related diagnoses carry unique ICD-10-CM coding guidelines, coders must carefully review the medical record to determine whether the documentation supports assignment of HIV disease, asymptomatic HIV infection, or other HIV status, as well as the presence of any HIV-related illnesses.
Comorbid conditions or complications (CC) and major comorbid conditions or complications (MCC) indicate a higher level of severity of illness, an elevated risk of mortality, and an above average intensity of resource utilization. Given their impact on reimbursement and quality reporting, Nancy Reading, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I, emphasizes how success in coding CCs and MCCs requires a delicate balance of documentation specificity and clinical clarity in diagnosis assignment.
Diagnosing opportunistic infections can be particularly challenging because the presenting signs and symptoms are nonspecific and may resemble a wide range of other conditions, making it difficult for providers to immediately identify the exact infectious process. Nevertheless, coders should recognize how clear documentation of both the infection and the underlying pathogen is particularly critical for proper code selection as many ICD-10-CM codes are organism-specific and dependent on the anatomical site or body system involved. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
Assigning and sequencing diagnosis codes for COPD in the face of an acute exacerbation of COPD, particularly when the patient’s condition progresses to respiratory failure, has posed challenges to coders for quite a while. Nancy Reading, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I, demonstrates how to nail down the diagnosis codes based on clinical presentations before determining the correct sequencing for principal diagnosis assignment.
Coding for alcohol- and drug-related disorders requires careful attention to both clinical terminology and the structure of the ICD-10-CM classification system. These conditions fall under the broader category of mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use, primarily coded within the F10-F19 range. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Accurate reporting of left-sided heart failure types relies on specific ICD-10-CM codes that align with the documented ejection fraction category, although ICD-10-CM also provides specific codes for other clinically important forms of heart failure, with and without other chronic conditions, that reflect distinct pathophysiologic mechanisms and coding considerations. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Q: A patient with dementia has not taken prescribed Lasix for one week due to forgetting and presents with worsening acute heart failure. What is going to be sequenced first: the underdose or the acute heart failure?
A report published by the American Cancer Society found that colorectal cancer rates among adults younger than 65 continue to increase while rates for older adults continue to decline. The study found that the increase is being driven by a higher prevalence of rectal cancer, which now makes up 32% of all colorectal cancer diagnoses, up from 27% in the mid-2000s.
Porcelain aorta is a disease that is caused by severe and widespread hardening of the walls of the ascending aorta that reaches to the aortic arch and descending aorta. Although there are several methods used to diagnose porcelain aorta, Brandi Hutcheson, RN, MSN, CCM, CCDS, CCA, says there is not a clear consensus on how it should be diagnosed.
At the recent public ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics discussed a draft proposal involving an expansion of sepsis diagnosis coding. Review the updates being considered for implementation on April 1, 2027. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. recorded 649 maternal deaths in 2024. While the total number of deaths declined slightly from 669 deaths in 2023, the overall maternal mortality rate showed no statistically significant improvement, highlighting ongoing challenges in maternal health outcomes.
In December 2023, the Office of the Inspector General published a toolkit for Medicare Advantage organizations who submit high-risk diagnoses, and it announced in January 2026 that an audit will be conducted on high-risk codes that the organizations submitted for 2024. Nancy Reading, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I, reviews the high-risk codes and emphasizes what to look for in the documentation to support coding practices.
Q: What steps should medical coders take to correctly code adverse drug effects in ICD-10-CM, and when should a provider query be submitted if documentation is unclear or unspecific?
From an inpatient coding perspective, vascular dementia may be documented for hospitalized patients because it coexists with other acute or chronic medical conditions. Accurate coding of the condition and its associated risk factors and complications will ensure the patient’s overall severity of illness and complexity of care are fully captured. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Review a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that suggests respiratory syncytial virus poses a far greater long-term health risk to adults in the months following hospitalization than previously understood due to increased risks of complications for myocardial infarction, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, congestive heart failure exacerbation, and arrhythmia.
Immunoglobulin G4-related disease is a chronic immune-mediated fibroinflammatory disorder that often manifests with tumor-like masses and/or painless enlargement of multiple organs. Shontia Leon-Guerrero, CPC, CEDC, CEMC, CPC-I Educator, explores the general manifestations of the disease, its signs and symptoms, as well as key documentation tips and a coding scenario.
Neonatal intensive care units provide care and additional medical attention for neonates who might be born prematurely, with low birthweight, with a medical complication, or with a congenital anomaly. Follow Shelley C. Safian, PhD, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I, as she delves into common services performed in these units and how they are reported with ICD-10-PCS codes.
Review a study based on ICD-10-CM data from the National Vital Statistics System that shows life expectancy for the United States population increased to 79.0 years in 2024 while the mortality rate decreased by 3.8% to 722.1 deaths per 100,000 of the standard population in 2024. Also determined were leading causes of death.
A diagnosis of cancer becomes a pre-existing condition that will follow a patient for the rest of their life, but clinical records do not always provide the level of detail required to work within the framework set forward in the coding rules when it comes to reporting active neoplasms from personal history. Nancy Reading, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I, explores ICD-10-CM guidelines for such neoplasm scenarios.
From concussions and cerebral contusions to complex intracranial hemorrhages and traumatic brain injuries, major head injuries encompass a wide spectrum of clinical presentations and outcomes. Because of their complexity and potential for lasting impact, complete and compliant ICD-10-CM coding is essential to reflect the full clinical severity of these conditions. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Q: How do ICD-10-CM T codes work together with Z, F, and Y codes to fully capture drug-related conditions, and in what order should these codes be sequenced?
A prognostic study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association raises concerns that AI models designed to predict hospital outcomes may appear far more accurate than they truly are due to a subtle but serious methodological error known as label leakage.
Due to all of the possible scenarios that come with a pregnancy, the reporting of ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes must reveal the specific risks patients have so that procedures, services, and treatments can all be supported. Follow Shelley C. Safian, PhD, MAOM/HIM/HI, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I, as she outlines best practices for specifically reporting high-risk pregnancies.
Q: What are the most common reasons postpartum hemorrhage is documented and coded inconsistently, and how can coders and clinicians help address these issues?
Correctly coding an aneurysm depends on the type and location, the specific vessels involved, and the presence or absence of associated complications such as ruptures. Each of these elements directly impacts code assignment, making detailed clinical documentation essential to ensure the conditions are accurately represented in the medical record. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Heart arrhythmias are disorders of cardiac rhythm that occur when the heart’s electrical impulses do not function properly, resulting in rhythms that are too fast, too slow, or irregular. For coders, a strong understanding of arrhythmia types, applicable ICD-10-CM coding considerations, and key provider documentation requirements are needed to support accurate, compliant coding and appropriate HCC capture. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Shelley C. Safian, PhD, MAOM/HIM/HI, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I, shows how reporting perinatology procedures with ICD-10-PCS is essential to accurately reflect the complexity, effectiveness, and clinical value of life-altering interventions that correct some congenital anomalies, ensuring they are visible in clinical data, recognized by payers, and supported for continued access and advancement in fetal care.
Q: What is the correct ICD-10-CM coding approach for poisoning cases that include documented manifestations, and how are these cases reflected in code selections and sequencing?
Trey La Charité, MD, FACP, SFHM, CCS, CCDS, discusses how without some form of a narrative in documentation, hospital coders cannot sequence individual diagnoses. If there is no story provided, records can be rife with opportunity for a recovery auditor or payer to construct an alternative version of what happened during hospital visits, resulting in denials.
Q: What considerations should coders keep in mind when referring to problem lists for determining the principal diagnosis and proper sequencing of all documented conditions in the inpatient setting?
Coding purpura and thrombocytopenia is often more straightforward than coders initially expect, as these diagnoses typically require minimal direction from official guidelines. The real challenge lies in correctly interpreting provider documentation and validating the terminology used. Without close attention to clarifying terms, coders risk misclassification or unnecessary queries. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Organizations have become increasingly aware that social determinants of health play a major role in determining health disparities. With this in mind, Kelly Rice, MSHI, BSN, RN, CCDS, CDIP, CCS, CRC, reviews the changes to SDOH for FY 2026 and the response to such changes, explores strategies for continued capture of SDOH, and emphasizes the use of new SDOH ICD-10 codes available.
Failure to rescue is a compelling quality metric because it offers a lens through which healthcare organizations can illuminate, analyze, and improve the rescue zone of patient care. Teresa Brown, RN, CCDS, CCDS-O, CDIP, CCS , shows how this metric can guide meaningful improvement in patient safety and outcomes when coding and CDI professionals help use it thoughtfully.
A study published in JAMA found that people who experience a traumatic spinal cord injury are at a greater risk of developing long-term chronic conditions such as hypertension, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and other neurological and psychiatric conditions.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that people under age 50 who consume cannabis are 6.2 times more likely to experience a heart attack than individuals who do not. It also found that they are 4.3 times more likely to experience an ischemic stroke and 2 times more likely to experience heart failure.
Q: Why is it necessary for coders, CDI professionals, and providers to align documentation and coding for substance-related disorders when applying both the DSM-5 and ICD-10? How does this impact risk adjustment and HCC capture?
Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which encompasses emphysema and bronchitis, are two of the most prevalent and debilitating respiratory conditions. Understanding these diseases and their pathophysiology is crucial for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and coding, particularly when the conditions overlap. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
When a woman is pregnant, relational connections between multiple organ systems can affect both mother and fetus and thereby alter, and perhaps complicate, the care they require. In addition, determining whether a condition was pre-existing or due to the pregnancy is important but can be tricky. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, MAOM/HIM/HI, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I, provides clarifications for these types of scenarios.
Cardiomyopathy refers to a group of conditions in which the heart muscle becomes diseased, making it harder for the body to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body . While accurate ICD-10-CM coding of cardiomyopathy requires precise documentation of the cause (if known) and complications, the type will drive the final code choice. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Coding practices by Medicare Advantage insurers make members seem sicker, which resulted in an extra $33 billion in payments from the federal government in 2021, relative to coding by traditional Medicare providers, according to a study published by the Annals of Internal Medicine .
CMS recently released an updated MLN fact sheet reminding providers when a transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement for symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation can be covered under the coverage with evidence development policy. Included are the ICD-10-CM/PCS codes that must be reported for inpatient cases.
Many disorders of immunity require ongoing management and often contribute to complications or comorbidities during hospitalization. For inpatient coders, accurately identifying and coding these disorders is crucial, not only to reflect the full clinical picture and support severity of illness and risk of mortality metrics, but also to ensure correct DRG assignment. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of progressive neurological disorders that affect memory, cognition, behavior, and the ability to perform everyday activities. Coding professionals must utilize diagnosis documentation, ICD-10-CM codes for both dementia and underlying physiological conditions, and coding tips to ensure that dementia-related diagnoses are captured accurately. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
A study published by the Journal of the American Heart Association found that ischemic heart disease death rates fell 81% from 1970 to 2022 while deaths from heart attacks decreased 89%. However, deaths from other types of heart disease increased by 81% during the same period.
Beginning October 1, 2025, there will be 116 new ICD-10-CM codes available for chronic non-pressure skin ulcers, added for FY 2026. Nancy Reading, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I , explores these new codes and how they were added in response to a growing problem identified as xylazine-induced skin ulcers.
It is not unusual for a professional medical coder to determine the need for multiple ICD-10-PCS procedure codes to tell the whole story about the care a patient has received during a current admission. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, MAOM/HIM/HI, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I , shows how to begin by first referring to sequencing guidelines for principal and secondary ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.
Learn how HIM professionals, including coders, can leverage data related to social determinants of health to improve patient care and secure proper reimbursement.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has released the 2025 Patient Safety Indicators (PSI) updates and revisions. Review the changes in more detail and discover which outdated indicators have been removed and which indicators have been modified.
Respiratory failure is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the respiratory system is unable to maintain adequate gas exchange. Accurate coding of this condition ensures that healthcare providers can effectively communicate the severity of the condition, track patient outcomes, and avoid misclassification. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
CMS recently released an updated MLN fact sheet reminding providers when implantable pulmonary artery pressure sensors for heart failure can be covered under the coverage with evidence development policy. Included are the ICD-10-CM/PCS codes that must be reported for inpatient cases.
Cirrhosis of the liver is categorized into distinct types that reflect different patterns of liver injury and disease progression, including hepatic fibrosis and hepatic sclerosis. Proper identification of these forms is critical for clinical accuracy and coding compliance.
Because anemia is not a definitive diagnosis due to the condition having many possible causes and just as many clinical presentations, Nancy Reading, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I , visits several of the common etiologies for anemia as well as associated coding concerns.
With takeaways from three certified medical professionals, HIM professionals can discover how the complexity of care for major depressive disorder impacts decisions around admissions, treatment intensities, resource allocations, and service quality, beginning with outpatient care.
Joanne Chopak-Foss, PhD , and Alba Kuqi, MD, MSHIM, CDIP, CCS, CCDS, CRCR, CICA, CSMC, RHIA, CCM , look to prove how CDI professionals and coders can fully realize the value of SDOH documentation and coding in maternal and child health and shift the narrative toward equitable care for new and expecting mothers.
As the healthcare landscape evolves with new diseases, technologies, and treatment methodologies, so too must the guidelines that support the ICD-10-CM coding system. Review updates to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting for fiscal year 2026 that will become effective October 1. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
With the fiscal year (FY) 2026 ICD-10-CM update adding 487 new diagnosis codes, inpatient coders will have the opportunity to report conditions with more specificity in areas such as wound care, ophthalmology, neurology, nephrology, pathology, and chronic disease coding. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
While many bone fractures are often treated in emergency rooms or orthopedic clinics, certain fractures—especially severe, complex, or high-risk ones—tend to require inpatient admission. Nancy Reading, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I , shows how recognizing severity of fractures that may warrant hospitalization helps coders capture the full scope of the patient’s condition.
Temperatures in the upper 90s and spikes into the low 100s can bring an increased risk of hospitalization for heat-related illnesses, especially in those areas which do not traditionally experience these outside intensities. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, RHIA, CCS-P, COC, CPC-I , provides guidance for reporting both diagnosis and procedure codes for sun poisoning and heatstroke admissions.
Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer are the most frequently diagnosed cancers among women and men, respectively. While both diseases originate in gender-specific organs and can range from slow-growing to aggressive forms, their clinical presentation and diagnostic complexity differ—differences that are reflected in how they are medically coded. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
ICD-10-CM codes for Parkinson’s disease differ based on the primary neurologic diagnosis and any complications or comorbidities involved, as PD can manifest in various forms, each with unique characteristics.
Differentiating between acute kidney injury and acute tubular necrosis is particularly critical due to their implications on medical complexity and coding classification, so Alba Kuqi, MD, MSHIM, RHIA, CCM, CRCR, CICA, CSMC, CSAF, CCS, CCDS, CDIP , explores the clinical foundation and diagnostic criteria of AKI and ATN, emphasizing their distinctions and significance for clinical documentation integrity and accurate ICD-10-CM coding.
Social issues often get left out of the conversation when providers, caregivers, and patients are busy, stressed, and focused on the immediate problem that occasioned a visit or admission; however, Nicole Nodal-Rodriguez, MSN, RN, CCDS , considers how having SDOH carried through the record can have a trickledown effect on treatment plans, identification of health disparities, and community services.
Accurate coding of hepatitis C scenarios relies heavily on recognizing and interpreting key details within clinical documentation, paying close attention specifically to the type of hepatitis, the acuity of the condition, the current status of the disease, and any associated complications or comorbidities. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
The ICD-10-CM classifies deep vein thrombosis with a high degree of specificity based on severity, affected extremity, vein location, and laterality, but without detailed clinical documentation or consistent terminology use, coders may need to query providers often for clarification in order to assign the right code.
Psychosis often emerges or is managed in outpatient mental health settings, but it can be coded during inpatient hospital stays due to the acute nature of the condition when it reaches a crisis point. To ensure that this mental health diagnosis receives the same diligence as medical and surgical diagnoses, Nancy Reading, RN, BS, CPC, CPC-P, CPC-I , provides coders with guidance on finding the right codes and resolving documentation conundrums.
Review a study based on ICD-10-CM data from the National Vital Statistics System that shows life expectancy for the United States population increased to 78.4 years in 2023 while the mortality rate decreased by 6.0% to 750.5 deaths per 100,000 of the standard population in 2023. Also determined were leading causes of death.
With hundreds of ICD-10-CM codes available for the various forms and manifestations of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, coding these conditions to their highest specificity can be surprisingly complex. Without a thorough understanding of their distinctions, and without clear documentation from providers, navigating this coding landscape can feel overwhelming. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
CMS recently proposed hundreds of ICD-10-CM code changes in the 2026 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System proposed rule, including 487 new codes, 38 revised code descriptions, and 28 invalidated codes. The rule also proposes 14 new ICD-10-PCS codes.
Misidentifying seizures and convulsions can easily lead to incorrect code assignment as each seizure subtype carries its own specific ICD-10-CM codes. Coding these conditions can be simplified, however, when coders have a strong grasp of the clinical and coding classifications for seizures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Review a study based on ICD-10-CM data from the National Vital Statistics System that shows a decline in U.S. drug overdose deaths from 32.6 deaths per 100,000 of the country’s standard population in 2022 to 31.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2023.
Q: A month ago, a patient had undergone an open reduction and internal fixation of a traumatic fracture of the left femur. This afternoon, she was admitted for a severe and deep infection of the left thigh and immediately taken to surgery. An open, wide excisional debridement of the infected skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fascia was carried out, and the internal fixation hardware was removed. Cultures of the fixation pins grew Staphylococcus aureus. Can coders report infections of devices similar to how they would report a wound infection in ICD-10-CM?
One of the most frequent causes of hospital-acquired AKI is acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Improving documentation and coding practices for ATN involves not only recognizing the condition but also realizing the impact of coding ATN versus AKI, addressing common misconceptions in the HIM field, and fostering collaboration among CDI specialists, coding professionals, and providers. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register if you do not have a paid subscription.
Research of multiple countries on various continents and with varied complexity of healthcare environments reveals significant disparities in health outcomes and access to healthcare, and a staggering percentage of health outcomes are attributed to social determinants of health. Studying these countries shows differences in how socioeconomic issues are captured in documentation and coded using different patient classification systems, guidelines, and regulations.
Review a study based on ICD-10-CM data from the National Vital Statistics System that shows a decline in U.S. maternal mortality rates from 22.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to a rate of 18.6 deaths in 2023.
Q: Consider a patient who received a hysterectomy two days ago and was later admitted for severe acute abdominal pain around the surgical wound. When the wound was reopened, it was discovered that an instrument had been left in her body. The instrument was removed, and the wound was resutured. How would coders report this situation with ICD-10-CM codes?
Given the variety and complexity of surgical complications, coders should understand the nuances of differentiating between surgical complications and pre-existing conditions, stay up to date with coding guidelines, and familiarize themselves with ICD-10-CM chapters where complications codes are located. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
