A step-by-step approach to code assignment is helpful when trying to understand the complexity of ICD-10-PCS. Step one: Determine the first character, which denotes the general category of the...
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...
If an excision involves cutting out a portion of a body part, and a resection involves cutting out all of a body part, what then is an extraction? According to the ICD-10-PCS guidelines, an...
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...
With ICD-10-PCS, coders will have 31 root operations to choose from and not all of them are clear cut. Start learning the root operations now to prepare you for the switch to ICD-10-PCS. The ICD-10-...
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...
ICD-10-PCS codes include one digit for the root operation that the provider performs. The root operation is always the third character is the seven-character code. The definitions of these root...
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...
CMS recently posted the 2012 ICD-10-PCS codes and coding guidelines . A summary of the major changes for 2012 states that there are 1,182 new codes, 381 revised titles, and 1,345 deleted codes. In...
You’ve probably heard that it’s too early to start learning ICD-10-CM/PCS codes. After all, the codes are still in draft format. However, it’s not too early to start learning the root operations for...
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...
