Author: Bielby, Judy A

Source: CodeWrite | AHIMA newsletter article

Publication Date: August 2012

The coding of acute, subacute, and chronic conditions can be challenging. Acute conditions are typically sudden in onset or have a rapid onset in severe or sudden symptoms. Acute conditions often have a short course. Conversely, chronic conditions have a much slower course than acute condi....

Author: AHIMA

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: August 2012

One look at the ICD-10-CM/PCS codebook proves that life is full of surprises. With ICD-10 stepping up the specificity of clinical codes, coders now have access to descriptions that can accurately capture even the most surprising of medical conundrums.


The increased specificity is....

Author: Easterling, Sharon; Wilson, Donna D

Source: Journal of AHIMA - website

Publication Date: August 2012

We are now midway through 2012, and still awaiting the start of RAC prepayment reviews.  The program was originally scheduled to start shortly after January 1, 2012, but has been pushed back until sometime during the summer of 2012. In the meantime, we are in the midst of struggling to....

Author: AHIMA

Source: AHIMA newsletter

Publication Date: July 2012

Author: Kostick, Karen M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: July 2012

This article highlights the 2012 ICD-10-CM update as approved by the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee. The 2012 ICD-10-CM update includes the addition of new codes that already exist in ICD-9-CM, implemented in the FY 2012 ICD-9-CM update or recently incorporated into ICD-10 th....

Author: DeVault, Kathryn

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes

Publication Date: July 2012

As organizations begin to prepare for ICD-10 implementation, the question of coder productivity is usually close to the top of everyone's list. Addressing productivity in ICD-9-CM will provide a baseline of information crucial for the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS.

The AHIMA e-HIM Cod....

Author: Averill, Richard F.; Bowman, Sue E

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: July 2012

Abstract: On April 17, 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a rule proposing postponement of the implementation date for the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition diagnosis codes (ICD-10-CM) and procedure codes (ICD-10-PCS) by one year to October 1, 2014. An article in Health Affairs titled "There Are Important Reasons For Delaying the Implementation Of The New ICD-10 Coding System" asserts that the ICD-10-CM conversion will be "expensive, arduous, disruptive, and of limited direct clinical benefit." Contrary to the conclusions in this article, implementation of the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code sets will provide major advantages over the existing ICD-9-CM code set. Implementation is long overdue and will provide significant cost benefits. Any further implementation delay will increase the cost of the transition as well as perpetuate the costs and negative consequences associated with continued reliance on imprecise diagnosis and procedure information.

Author: Dimick, Chris

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: July 2012

The annual AHIMA meeting took healthcare industry professionals to school on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code set.



The ICD-10-CM codes T39.016A (Underdosing of aspirin, initial encounter) and R42 (Dizziness and giddiness) would have come in handy at the 2012 ICD-10 Summi....

Author: DeVault, Kathryn

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: July 2012

The conversion to ICD-10 impacts all segments of healthcare, including data management processes.

The 2012 ICD-10 Summit provided attendees and presenters alike the opportunity to learn from the experiences of their peers and hear first-hand accounts of ICD-10 implementation successe....

Author: AHIMA

Source: AHIMA newsletter

Publication Date: June 2012