A large number of the code additions in ICD-10-CM appear in the musculoskeletal section. While fractures account for some of those changes, coders also need to understand how coding for other orthopedic conditions will change in ICD-10-CM. Kristi Stanton, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, and Kim Carr, RHIT, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, discuss ICD-10-CM coding for sprains, strains, and dislocations.
Most, but not all, guidelines in ICD-10-CM match up to those in ICD-9-CM. S helley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC -I, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, highlights some of the main guideline differences for coders to learn before the transition to ICD-10-CM.
ICD-10 implementation and coding present plenty of challenges, especially when it comes to ICD-10-PCS. Sue Bowman, RHIA, CCS, and Donna Smith, RHIA, clear up some misconceptions about ICD-10 implementation and use.
The section of codes that expanded most in ICD-10-CM involves orthopedic injuries, especially fractures. Kim Carr, RHIT, CCS, CDIP, CCDS , and Kristi Stanton, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, highlight some of the most significant changes for fracture coding.
When a patient comes in contact with a drug or chemical that has an unhealthy effect, coders will have an easier time reporting it in ICD-10-CM than in ICD-9-CM. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I , AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer reviews poisoning and adverse effect coding in both code sets.
Coders use different codes to report traumatic and pathologic fractures. Robert S. Gold, MD, and Kristi Stanton, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, highlight the differences in coding for the two etiologies of fractures in both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.
Coders can only use the documentation they have to code in ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM. Adelaide La Rosa, RN, BSN, CCDS, and Deborah Lantz, RHIA, discuss the importance of good documentation when coding for fractures and congestive heart failure in both systems.
Some conditions, such as gangrene due to diabetes, require two codes to correctly report in ICD-9-CM. In ICD-10-CM, coders will only need one code. Jennifer Avery, CCS, CPC-H, CPC, CPC-I, and William E. Haik, MD, FCCP, CDIP, explain how these combination codes act as their own CC or MCC in ICD-10-CM.
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.
Plenty of uncertainty surrounds the ICD-10 implementation delay, but healthcare organizations shouldn’t put the brakes on their plans. Cheryl Ericson, MS, RN, CCDS, CDIP , William E. Haik, MD, FCCP, CDIP , Monica Lenahan, CCS , Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, CDIP, offer thoughts on how to keep moving forward with ICD-10.
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.
ICD-10-CM provides many more combination codes for drug- and alcohol-related diagnoses than ICD-9-CM. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, explains how this could actually result in less work for coders.
James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, discusses the increased clinical specificity required for coders to report strokes and transient ischemic attacks in ICD-10.
Decreased productivity isn’t the only looming concern with the transition to ICD-10. Scot Nemchik, CCS , and Rachel Chebeleu, MBA, RHIA , reveal why accuracy will be just as important as productivity.
Without the right details in the documentation, coders can’t assign the correct code and that becomes more apparent in ICD-10. Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, Paul Weygandt, MD, JD, MPH, MBA, CCS , Kathy DeVault, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, and Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC, CENTC, highlight some areas coders and clinical documentation improvement specialists should focus on to prepare for ICD-10.
Information that is not important for ICD-9-CM will take on new significance in ICD-10-CM. Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I, CGSC, COBGC, CPEDC, CENTC, and Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, review areas when specificity comes into play in ICD-10-CM.
Coders may find assigning codes for sepsis somewhat easier in ICD-10-CM, but they will still face some challenges. Ann Barta, MSA, RHIA, CDIP , and Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CCDS, detail how to report sepsis in ICD-10-CM.
Although ICD-10-CM resolves some problematic areas of coding, it isn't a panacea. Robert S. Gold, MD reviews how respiratory insufficiency will continue to challenge coders.
The ideal approach to ICD-10-CM/PCS preparation is capitalizing on the synergistic partnership between clinical documentation improvement and coding professionals. Glenn Krauss, BBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPUR, C-CDI, CCDS, discusses how organizations can use this dynamic to improve preparations for ICD-10.
Any ICD-10-CM/PCS to-do list wouldn’t be complete without the task of reviewing and revising query templates. Cheryl Robbins, RHIT, CCS, Gloryanne Bryant, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CCDS, and Sandra L. Macica, MS, RHIA, CCS, provide tips for updating queries for ICD-10.
