Joe Rivet, JD, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CHC, CCEP, CHRC, CHPC, CICA, CPMA, CAC, CACO, reviews how to report the stage and type of various skin ulcers, the fiscal year (FY) 2020 guideline updates for pressure ulcers, and common terminology traps inpatient coders can get tripped up by.
Managers should not assume that they can review every guideline, every item in Coding Clinic, or every coding-related issue targeted by the OIG or Recovery Auditors. However, those issues that have been identified as the result of denials, external coding audits, or quality initiatives should surface to the top of the audit list for the coding manager.
Shannon McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CRC, CCDS, CCDS-O, HCS-D, reviews the 2020 ICD-10-CM code changes for atrial fibrillation, as well as the clinical background and ICD-10-PCS reporting for related procedures. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Sarah Nehring, CCS, CCDS, says that the last thing a query writer wants is to provoke a defensive response, but in the current healthcare environment, CDI specialists, clinical, and inpatient coding staff need to think defensively. In this article, Nehring outlines five items to remember when it comes to defendable queries, documentation, and coding.
Peggy S. Blue, MPH, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, writes that one of the most interesting aspects of the ICD-10-CM code update for fiscal year (FY) 2020 was CMS’ proposal to change the severity assignment for many of these codes. In this article, Blue compares the severity changes that were suggested in the FY 2020 IPPS proposed rule with the designations that were actually finalized.
Valerie A. Rinkle, MPA, CHRI , reviews the fiscal year (FY) 2020 IPPS final rule and highlights key financial implications for hospitals including wage index changes, new technology updates, and more.
Peggy S. Blue, MPH, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC , writes that the prevalence and complexity of prostate cancer is why it is so important for even inpatient coders to fully understand the diagnostic, treatment, and procedural aspects of this disease.
ICD-10-CM/PCS coding for heart conditions such as aortic valve stenosis, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation requires an in-depth understanding of anatomical terminology and clinical indications. This article will review these three diagnoses to help ensure accurate reporting and reimbursement. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
CMS released the fiscal year (FY) 2020 IPPS final rule on August 2, increasing inpatient operating payment rates by 3.1%, significantly altering rural health payments, expediting opportunities to pay for new technologies, and updating CCs, MCCs, and MS-DRGs. These policy updates affect approximately 3,300 acute care hospitals and apply to discharges occurring on and after October 1.
Cathy Farraher, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CCDS, writes that CDI professionals can work to reduce the incidence of physician query fatigue and gives recommendations to help improve provider response rate while reducing query frustration.
Regularly reviewing hospital-acquired conditions (HAC) and preparing for unanticipated reporting situations will ensure your facility can submit these with the utmost accuracy. Joe Rivet, JD, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CHC, CCEP, CHRC, CHPC, CICA, CPMA, CAC, CACO, helps coders better understand HACs by outlining the basics and giving tips for improving inpatient documentation and coding for these conditions.
While it is essential to receive continuing education on ICD-10-CM/PCS code selection, it is also important to stay current with industry news. Joe Rivet, JD, CCS-P, CPC, CEMC, CHC, CCEP, CHRC, CHPC, CICA, CPMA, CAC, CACO , reviews inpatient reporting and guideline updates for fiscal year 2020. Note : To access this free article, make sure you first register here if you do not have a paid subscription.
Tamara Hicks, RN, BSN, MHA, CCS, CCS, ACM-RN, CCDS-O , explains how her organization implemented a CDI career ladder and why it’s an important step for hospitals looking to expand their coding and CDI departments.
Allen Frady, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS, CRC , reviews the answers to commonly asked questions pertaining to sepsis documentation to help coders and CDI specialists ensure accurate reporting of this condition.
Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition that affects nearly 1.7 million adults in America each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly 270,000 Americans die each year from sepsis-related complications.
We have come a long way in our understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but still have a lot to learn about the condition’s prevalence and impact.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) released Coding Clinic, Second Quarter 2019, just in time for summer vacation. If Coding Clinic didn’t make your summer must-read list, then be sure to review this article, which summarizes coding updates discussed in the quarterly newsletter and their impact on severity and DRG assignment
Sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) have historically been difficult to report due to changing terminology and continuous updates to ICD-10-CM coding guidelines. Review clinical terminology and complex guidelines to select the most specific codes for both conditions.
Trey La Charité, MD, FACP, SFHM, CCS, CCDS , explains why physicians may feel that coding and CDI professionals are asking too much and offers potential solutions to ease workplace tensions.
