Home repair and improvement can be hazardous to your health. Just ask the residents of Calamity Condos who are visiting the Fix ‘Em Up Clinic. Tom and Wendy decided to repaint the living room of...
Braaaaains! Braaaaains! Don’t look now, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was right about the zombie apocalypse . It’s here! Run for your lives! Okay, we’re not about to be overrun...
...and the documentation coach will turn into a pumpkin if you're not on time. As a CDI specialist, what has been your approach to ICD-10? Are you hoping it will go away? Are you waiting for 2014?...
Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend because it’s time to dive into coding for today’s visitors to the Fix ‘Em Up Clinic. Our first patient, nine-year-old Chris, arrived with a really nasty...
A surgeon performs an open reduction of right tibia fracture for an inpatient. Which ICD-10-PCS root operation should be reported? In this case, it’s fairly easy: reposition. In a reposition...
ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS contain a significant number of new codes, which shouldn’t be news to anyone at this point. Most of the codes are longer than the current ICD-9-CM codes, which could increase...
[caption id="attachment_2698" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Hey, look, it's a friend of Wile E.!"] [/caption] Wile E. Coyote is back in the Acme ED, this time with a broken arm, leg, pelvis...
A one-year delay in ICD-10-CM/PCS isn’t a slam dunk. “We’re recommending it, but it’s not [guaranteed],” said Denise Buenning, group director CMS Office of E-Health Standards and Services. Buenning...
After HHS proposed year-long delay of ICD-10, questions emerged regarding the current ICD-9-CM code freeze. CMS confirmed that the code freeze will hold until ICD-10-CM/PCS is implemented regardless...
Don’t trust the squirrels in the park. They may look cute and friendly, but they are really covert operatives on a mission to steal your food. [caption id="attachment_2676" align="alignright" width="...
Do you suffer from triskaidekaphobia, paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia? In other words are you afraid of the number 13 or Friday the 13 th ? More importantly, can you code for those...
And the new proposed ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation date is (drum roll, please)…October 1, 2014. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the new date as part...
My feet are killing me. I wonder what the problem is. Let’s see what it could be and how we would code it in ICD-10-CM. I got a new pair of shoes, so maybe the problem is a blister. That should be...
Several years ago, a pharmaceutical company came under fire because its sales reps were pushing the company’s drugs using Tigger and Eeyore, two popular characters from the "Winnie the Pooh" series...
Spring is in the air and Anytown just held its combined Spring Festival and Easter egg hunt. I’m sad to say things did not go smoothly, judging by the number of patients in the Fix ‘Em Up outpatient...
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." [caption id="attachment_2635" align="alignright" width="150" caption="It's Pandemonium!"] [/caption] Ah, dear...
Poor Wile E. Coyote ® . He just came into the Acme ED with a skull fracture caused by a falling boulder. It seems the Roadrunner ® got away again. Dr. Frankenbean documents a closed fracture of the...
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) may do more harm than good by delaying ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation, according to survey, Industry Reaction to Potential Delay of ICD-10 ,...
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...
Who knew St. Patrick’s Day was such a dangerous holiday? Take a look around the Fix ‘Em Up Clinic and see for yourself. First, we have Bobby, who was looking for a four-leaf clover. Unfortunately, he...
The Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) announced a second delay in the enforcement of HIPAA 5010, CMS announced March 15 . OESS announced the first enforcement delay November 17, 2011...
ICD-10-CM is full of oddly specific codes for causes of injuries. Some of them are funny (I’m talking to you, W61.43, pecked by turkey) and others are so strange that most coders will probably never...
Coders use ICD-9-CM E codes to describe the accident, circumstance, event, or specific agent that caused a patient’s injury. In ICD-10-CM, these codes will not be prefaced with the letter ‘E,’ and...
In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday, we present: Oh, the ICD-10-CM codes you’ll find Hit by a truck? Bit by a duck? There’s an ICD-10-CM code for that. Liver contused? Wrong substance infused? There’s an...
I love the National Public Radio (NPR) program, "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell me" (WWDTM), a fun look a the news. The program features a panel of amusing well-knowns who answer questions and try to win a...
Don’t let rumor steer you away from the goal of being ready for ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation. By now, everyone has heard that CMS plans to issue a proposed rule with a new ICD-10-CM/PCS...
Even though this kink (the possible implementation delay) has been presented to everyone, I think we need to remember that the likelihood of continuing status quo for a lengthy amount of time using...
So CMS may or may not change the October 1, 2013 implementation date for ICD-10-CM/PCS. We’re still waiting to hear more from CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services. While we’re waiting...
Physician queries are considered communications between coding (or coding-related) professionals and physicians to clarify or increase specificity in the documentation to ensure good clinical...
The transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS has not been cancelled, just delayed. And we’re not even sure for how long. Some industry experts offer their thoughts on what organizations should do while we wait...
It’s no longer a mere possibility; HHS has confirmed its intent to delay the ICD-10 compliance deadline, according to its latest press release . “We have heard from many in the provider community who...
After years of repeatedly saying the implementation date for ICD-10-CM/PCS wasn’t changing, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS are rethinking their stance. HHS Secretary...
A patient comes in with displaced fracture of base of second metacarpal bone of his right hand. The physician treats the patient and sends him home. The coder would report ICD-10-CM code S62.310A for...
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...
Big news regarding the ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation timeline came out this morning during the American Medical Association (AMA) National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC. Per CMS acting...
What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. At least Shakespeare says so. And that has what to do with coding in ICD-10-PCS you might ask. Well, you won’t find...
Outpatient coders are getting very familiar with combination codes when it comes to procedure coding, thanks to the AMA. Coders have been seeing more and more combined procedures in recent years in...
When the American Medical Association (AMA) made it clear back in November that it wanted to delay the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS, the first thing that came to mind was ... are you kidding me?...
Here are the top 10 reasons you should attend the JustCoding Virtual Summit: ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS February 29-March2. 10. October 1, 2013 is getting closer all the time Remember when CMS...
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, according to Franklin D. Roosevelt. We certainly shouldn’t fear the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS. Unfortunately, however, it seems to be a common...
Have you heard that not all payers will be ready for the ICD-10-CM/PCS coding system on October 1, 2013? What a headache, huh? All payers were required to be ANSI X12 Version 5010 compliant by...
The 2012 ICD-10-CM updates include significant narrative changes for primary malignant neoplasms overlapping site boundaries and malignant neoplasm of ectopic tissue, as well as smaller narrative...
The Medicare Code Editor (MCE) is software that detects and reports errors in the coding on claims that are submitted for payment. All Part A inpatient discharges and transfers pass through the MCE...
CMS recently posted a file that identified duplicate codes within the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM systems. The list isn’t terribly extensive, but in this atmosphere of transitioning from one system to the...
Looking for the 2012 ICD-10-CM code updates? Want to see what's included in the final regular update before implementation? Check the CMS’ ICD-10-CM and GEMS website. CMS posted the 2012 ICD-10-CM:...
Get ready to say goodbye to Coding Clinic for ICD-9 , and hello to Coding Clinic for ICD-10 . The AHA will cease publication of its ICD-9 guidance, but is already planning for an ICD-10-CM/PCS...
For those who work in environments where codes from category V57 (care involving use of rehabilitation procedures) are a staple, you be surprised to learn that when it comes to ICD-10-CM, all V57...
Late effects are considered to be the residual effects after the acute phase of an illness, disease, or injury. Typically, late effects are considered chronic conditions and can result from the...
CMS’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) won’t enforce compliance with the HIPAA 5010 transaction set until March 31, 2012, the agency announced November 17 . The 90-day delay will not...
The American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates voted to “work vigorously to stop implementation of ICD-10” during the closing session of its semi-annual policy-making meeting November 15...
Coders are sharpening their knowledge of anatomy and physiology and honing their ICD-10-CM/PCS skills. The HIM department is getting ready for the transition, but did you remember to explain it to...
I had the opportunity to attend the American Health Information Management Association convention this year in Salt Lake City, and I helped work in HCPro's exhibitor booth. As a former HIM director...
Will the new ICD-10-CM concept of using seventh character code extensions to identify initial encounters vs. subsequent encounters cause additional confusion in relation to professional services, for...
Representatives from the American Hospital Association (AHA), the American Health Information Management Association, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will discuss ICD-10...
As I continue to learn more and work with ICD-10-PCS codes, I find myself questioning the ancillary service codes in ICD-10-PCS. In my experience as an inpatient facility coder, I know that there are...
2013 is right around the corner. Learn how to kick start your hospital-wide ICD-10 educational plans. During this live 90–minute audio conference, our expert speakers will walk you through two...
As an AHIMA ICD-10 certified trainer, I have been doing a lot of work on various ICD-10 projects. When it comes to working with the new coding system, I find myself wondering whether the first ICD-10...
Coders should focus on chest pain, among other areas, as part of a larger review of ICD-9-CM codes and in preparing for ICD-10-CM. Coding chest pain in ICD-9-CM requires the physician to document the...
5010. That’s the cool way of saying Version 5010 of the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12. It is the next version of the HIPAA electronic transaction standards that providers and all HIPAA...
Coders will find they need more information to select the appropriate code in chapter 13 (Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue [M00–M99]) of the ICD-10-CM Manual. Most of the...
Over the summer, I was in the process of going through the American Health Information Management Association Academy for ICD-10-CM for trainers. I had completed the online, self-paced part of the...
These days it seems like a new ICD-10 tool is waiting for you around every corner. Be sure to periodically check different organization's websites, as many of them are constantly updating information...
Do you remember the Y2K scare? Vendors and information technology staff were entranced with making upgrades to computers and information systems months in advance to make sure that the internal...
The CDC updated the terminology used to describe asthma in ICD-10-CM to reflect the current clinical classification of asthma. In ICD-9-CM, asthma is described as extrinsic or intrinsic. In ICD-10-CM...
Given the many differences between the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS system and the thousands of new codes that will be used, all skilled-nursing facility (SNF) and homecare agency staff members...
When I hear "YouTube," I think of video clips of babbling babies, stupid pet tricks, and “don’t try this at home” stunts. But did you know that CMS is now on YouTube? Who’d a thunk it! They even have...
I’m not really crazy about the title of this blog post, but that’s how the adage goes. Once you get used to something, like ICD-9-CM for example, change is met with resistance. I don’t want to think...
When we think of all of the steps we have to take to get ready for ICD-10 implementation, missing one step in the planning process could cause chaos in your facility. Don’t forget about 5010! Your...
Will physician documentation be specific enough so coders can select the most appropriate code in ICD-10-CM/PCS or will coders be defaulting to unspecified codes? For starters, don't dwell on details...
One of the things that has concerned me about ICD-10-CM is the lack of guidance regarding sequencing. Since the American Hospital Association announced that it would not be converting Coding Clinic...
If you haven’t already done so, now is a good time to look at your system capabilities and see what you need to update or upgrade before the transitions to HIPAA Version 5010 and ICD-10-CM/PCS. Start...
As a kid, do you remember playing the game where you sat round in a circle and one person whispered a phrase in the ear of the person sitting next to them, and that person passed it along until...
CMS created the following four podcasts based on the January 12 national provider call, “Preparing for ICD-10 Implementation in 2011:” Welcome and ICD-10 Overview Implementation Strategies for 2011...
So the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS is still more than two years away, and it’s too early to start learning actual codes. But you can start reviewing some of the major concepts of ICD-10-CM/PCS with...
Well, CMS apparently wants to make sure everyone tests the HIPAA Version 5010 transaction sets. CMS previously announced two national testing days, and is adding 5010 testing week. CMS scheduled 5010...
With 2013 seemingly so far away, many post-acute care organizations, including long-term care facilities, homecare agencies, and hospices, have not started their ICD-10 coding training. Many want to...
The complexity and costs of the switch to IDC-10-CM/PCS will vary by the size of the organization. A large, multi-facility health system needs to review more areas and plan more changes than a five-...
I attended the live portion of the American Health Information Management Association ICD-10-CM training in Baltimore last week. It is definitely not for the faint-hearted! It was a good overview...
As I look at the ICD-10-CM codes and take into consideration some of the possible documentation issues we might face, one of the questions that comes to mind is are we actually taking a step backward...
General Equivalency Mappings (GEMs) are crosswalks between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. They are a helpful way to start looking for a code when you move from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM. But GEMs are not...
Right now only one in five hospital claims is fully paid without a payer request for more information, according to a RAND Corporation report. With the upcoming transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS, providers...
One of the things that I like about the ICD-10-CM manual is use of the vertical gray bars in the Volume II “Alphabetical Listing for Diseases.” This greatly enhances the ability to see how far the...
Certification in this day and age has become a vital part of obtaining and proving proficiency in coding and other related fields. Many years ago, coders did not have to be certified to secure...
Just when I thought that ICD-10 would resolve those annoying coding guideline and definition inconsistencies, I have discovered that some will still exist in ICD-10, too. Oh no—say it ain’t so! The...
Small rural facilities that haven’t yet started planning for ICD-10-CM/PCS shouldn’t panic yet, but they also shouldn’t delay much longer, says Jeff Wieters, RHIA, senior technical advisory...
I have been doing this workout program called P90X. It’s a challenge, and I’m not nearly as faithful to it as I should be. There is one segment called “Ab Ripper X,” during which our fearless leader...
CMS will host a national provider teleconference, "CMS ICD-10 Conversion Activities," on May 18, 1 - 2:30 p.m. EST. Presenters will discuss the ICD-10 conversion process currently taking place within...
When teaching ICD-9-CM coding, I often use a little ditty, “sprains and strains are the same,” to remind myself that when a physician documents “strain,” I need to start with the main term of “sprain...
Many of the speakers at the AHIMA’s ICD-10 Summit April 11-12 in Baltimore stressed the importance of working together. Physicians, coders, and information technology folks all need to work together...
Getting clinicians onboard and trained for the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS will be one of the biggest challenges for most facilities, according to Patricia A.C. Hildebrand, MSN, RN, AHIMA-approved...
Coding productivity will decrease at least initially with the switch to ICD-10-CM/PCS. But do you know how productive your coders are now? If the answer is no, consider following the example of Mary...
As most people in the healthcare industry know, the conversion to ICD-10-CM/PCS isn’t the only initiative organizations are trying to implement. So where does the ICD-10 conversion fit within your...
When it comes to training staff members for the upcoming transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS, not everyone has the same needs or characteristics. They don’t even belong to the same group of shareholders...
The current versions of the X12 Version 4010/4010A1 transaction standards lack certain functionality that are pertinent to the healthcare industry. By now, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses,...
One of the things I have always liked about ICD-9-CM is that no matter how poor the documentation, if a code requires a fourth and/or fifth digit the manual always gives what I call the “out” by...
The 2011 ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines include several changes relating to the correct coding for neoplasms. Chapter 2 of the ICD-10-CM contains the codes for most benign and all malignant neoplasms...
I saw a question posted recently regarding the inclusion or exclusion of Workers Comp, property, casualty, and auto under the CMS mandate to implement ICD-10. My first reaction was why wouldn’t they...
HCPro is conducting research into how organizations are assessing their ICD-10 readiness. Click the link below to participate. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22C5AE44S33/
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) recently posted on its ICD-10 webpage a Top 10 List: Phase One . In early 2011, Phase I (first quarter 2009–second quarter 2011) of the...
ICD-10-CM/PCS now has guidelines for reporting conditions that are present on admission (POA). As part of the 2011 guidelines updates, CMS and the National Center for Health Statistics added Appendix...
