CMS will conduct full end-to-end testing—from submission to remittance advice—with a select sample of providers in July. CMS first announced the decision in MLN Matters® SE1409 and provided additional details during the February 20 webcast, CMS ICD-10 Readiness.
When it comes to coding malnutrition, coders need to see very specific information in the physician documentation. James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, William E. Haik, MD, FCCP, CDIP , and Mindy Hamilton, RD, LD, review the clinical factors for malnutrition and how to assign the correct ICD-9-CM codes.
Inpatient coders will have a new coding system on October 1, but they won’t have to learn new MS-DRGs. They aren’t changing. However, coders will see some shift in MS-DRG assignment in ICD-10. Donna M. Smith, RHIA, and Lori P. Jayne, RHIA, reveal why the MS-DRG shifts will occur.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is delaying the launch of ICD-11 until 2017. The WHO did not formally announce a delay, but its website now lists ICD-11 as due by 2017.
ICD-10-PCS defines devices for coding purposes in a very specific way. Shannon E. McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, and Mark Dominesey, RN, BSN, MBA, CCDS, CDIP, CHTS-CP, explain how to assign the correct device character in ICD-10-PCS.
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.
Codes for epilepsy and migraine headaches are getting a makeover for ICD-10-CM. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CCS-P, CPC-H, CPC-I, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, reviews the additional specificity in the new ICD-10-CM codes.
Q: Does the physician have to document the stage of a decubitus ulcer or can it be a wound care nurse? Does that person have to document stage 1 or can he or she describe the wound?
Physicians can biopsy numerous body sites and structures, including muscles, organs, and fluids. Mark N. Dominesey, MBA, RN, CCDS, CDIP, and Nena Scott, MSEd, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, dig into biopsy coding in both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM.
Q: Can you explain when a neoplasm should be listed as the principal diagnosis? We have some coders who believe the neoplasm should always be the principal diagnosis.
Drug-resistant bugs are becoming more common as antibiotic use increases. Shelley C. Safian, PhD, CPC-H, CPC-I, CCS-P , AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, explains why and how microbes become antibiotic resistant and compares ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM coding for these infections.
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.
Coders are often in the difficult position of trying to determine whether to report a CC. William E. Haik, MD, FCCP, CDIP, and Kathy DeVault, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, discuss problems areas in documentation of CCs and what clinical indicators coders should use to help with CC reporting.
Recovery Auditors have identified substantial overpayments for inpatient psychiatric services directly following an acute care stay within the same facility, according to CMS’ MLN Matters® SE1401 .
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.
In ICD-10-PCS, coders will need to find details they currently don’t use. Lori-Lynne A. Webb, CPC, CCS-P, CCP, CHDA, COBGC, AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer, offers tips for locating the necessary information in the body of the operative report.
