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Publication Date: June 2013

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of 10 articles discussing the 31 root operations of ICD-10-PCS.

The implementation of ICD-10-PCS will challenge the skills of coders-it contains many unique features and provides an opportunity to truly reflect the complexity of....

Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Excision and Resection

Author: Scott, Karen S.

Publication Date: April 2013

ICD-10-PCS will bring about many changes and challenges for coding professionals. It is important for those involved in coding to start preparing today for the many unique features of the coding system. One of the keys to understanding ICD-10-PCS is the many new definitions and description....

Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Fusion, Alteration, and Creation

Author: Rihanek, Theresa

Publication Date: March 2014

With this article the Journal of AHIMA concludes its 10-part Coding Notes series focusing on the 31 root operations of ICD-10-PCS. This installment focuses on three root operations in the Medical and Surgical Section that define other objectives:

Fusion
Alteration
Creation

Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Insertion, Supplement, and Removal

Author: Rihanek, Theresa

Publication Date: January 2014

Editor’s note: This is the eighth in a series of 10 articles discussing the 31 root operations of ICD-10-PCS.

In this article, the Journal of AHIMA continues the 10-part Coding Notes series focusing on the 31 root operations of ICD-10-PCS. This article will describe three....

Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS- Understanding Restriction Occlusion and Dilation

Author: Comfort, Angie

Publication Date: October 2013

Editor’s note: This article is the sixth in a series of 10 articles discussing the 31 root operations of ICD-10-PCS.

With the upcoming implementation of ICD-10-PCS, there are new definitions and descriptions used to describe the procedures performed. Coding professiona....

Coding Root Operations with ICD-10-PCS: Understanding Transplantation, Reattachment, Transfer, and Reposition

Author: Rihanek, Theresa

Publication Date: September 2013

Editor's note: This is the fifth in a series of 10 articles discussing the 31 root operations of ICD-10-PCS.

In the Journal of AHIMA's continuing Coding Notes series focusing on the 31 root operations of ICD-10-PCS, this article will focus on the definitions of four root ope....

Coding Saint Patrick's Day

Author: Endicott, Melanie

Source: AHIMA blog post | Journal of AHIMA - website

Publication Date: March 11, 2015

Saint Patrick’s Day is both a cultural and religious celebration that includes displays of the color green, eating and drinking, and parades. One of the greatest places to celebrate this day, outside of Ireland, is the city of Chicago, where the people go all out for Saint Patrick’s D....

Coding Sepsis and SIRS

Author: Wiedemann, Lou Ann

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: April 2007

Coding a chart with a sepsis diagnosis can prove challenging for coders. The coding guidelines for sepsis as well as ambiguous provider documentation can often mean an extended length of time reviewing a chart only to place it on hold for a physician query. This column outlines the clinic....

Coding Sepsis vs. Septic Shock

Author: Endicott, Melanie

Source: AHIMA blog post | Journal of AHIMA - website

Publication Date: April 2016

The definitions and clinical criteria of sepsis and septic shock have been revised, per an article published February 23, 2016 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The recommendations from the 19 physician members of the task force that wrote the new definitions were:....

Coding’s Promising Future: CAC and ICD-10 Offer Opportunities, Require Professional Development

Author: Bowen, Rita K.

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: July 2010

The increasing complexity of the coding process and the pressure to reduce accounts on hold and accounts receivable days and improve cash flow are enough to have every good coding professional seeking solutions. Healthcare reform calls for us all to continually review areas for improvement, wh....

Coding Uncertainty in the Outpatient Setting: Tumor Markers and Abnormal Findings

Author: AHIMA Staff

Source: CodeWrite

Publication Date: March 2016

Many patients report to the office or outpatient department with specific symptoms or problems that require evaluation. However, not all patient care is that straightforward; there are certain patients that present with abnormal test findings in the absence of a definitive diagnosis. Section IV....

Coding Under the HIPAA Umbrella

Author: Russo, Ruthann

Publication Date: June 2001

Although coding professionals are not ultimately responsible for ensuring appropriate release of patient-protected information, it is important that they understand that coded data is not only one of the most desired pieces of information in the patient’s record, it is also the....

Coding UTI to Sepsis in ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM

Author: Boyle, Ginger; Kostick, Karen M.

Publication Date: March 2011

Multiple factors contribute to urinary tract infections (UTIs); common causes are aging and medications, especially in combination.

Aging is associated with changes in kidney structure and muscle strength. The kidneys lose their ability to filter waste from the blood. Muscles in the....

Coding Zika Virus

Author: Endicott, Melanie

Source: AHIMA blog post | Journal of AHIMA - website

Publication Date: February 10, 2016

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys. There has recently been a rise in incidences of the Zika virus in Brazil. More than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic Zika virus infections, indicating....

Comments on the proposed diagnosis code modifications presented at the March 24th ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance (C&M) Committee meeting

Author: Bowman, Sue E

Source: AHIMA testimony and comments

Publication Date: April 12, 2006

Comments on the proposed diagnosis code revisions recommended for implementation

Comments on the proposed procedure code modifications presented at the March 23rd ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee (C&M) meeting

Author: Bowman, Sue E

Source: AHIMA testimony and comments

Publication Date: April 12, 2006

Comments on the proposed procedure code revisions recommended for implementation in October 2006

Committee Considers ICD-9-CM Changes for 2002

Author: Prophet, Sue

Publication Date: March 2001

by Sue Prophet, RHIA, CCS

The ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, cosponsored by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), met on November 17, 2000, in Baltimore, MD. Donna Pickett, RHIA, from NCHS, and Patri....

Committee Debates ICD-10-PCS Implementation

Author: Prophet, Sue

Publication Date: September 2001

Proposed changes, if approved, would not become effective until October 1, 2002.

The ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, cosponsored by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS, formerly the Health Care Fina....

Continuing on the Intriguing ICD-10 Journey

Author: Bielby, Judy A

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 2016

In 1986, a classroom full of medical record administration students learned that the world would soon transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10. The instructor noted that ICD-10 was expected to be completed in about three or four years and that a clinical modification for use in the United States wo....

Converting Data to ICD-10 with GEMs: Reference Mapping Tools Will Aid in System Transition

Author: Rihanek, Theresa; DeVault, Kathryn

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 2012

Many healthcare organizations use historical coded data in governance and planning activities, contracting, quality improvement, research, and trending. The upcoming implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS will require organizations to identify the types of coded data that will require conversion in o....

Converting MS-DRGs to ICD-10-CM/PCS: Methods Used, Lessons Learned

Author: Butler, Rhonda R.

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: November 2009

Like the rest of us, MS-DRGs have to transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS. The conversion is off to a good start, with a preliminary version already available. The project offered an early test of the General Equivalence Mappings and provides a conversion process for other applications.

In m....

Cost of Converting Small Physician Practices to ICD-10 Much Lower than Reported

Author: Kravis, Thomas C; Belley, Susan; Smith, Donna; Averill, Richard F.

Publication Date: November 2014

The controversial delay of ICD-10 implementation was based in part on the perceived time, cost and lost productivity for physician offices to perform the necessary assessment, training, software conversions, testing and “super bill” updates.1 Current evidence suggests that....

Countdown to ICD-10-CM/PCS

Author:

Source: AHIMA Advantage

Publication Date: June 2009

Countdown to ICD-10: Four Organizations, Three Years, One Goal

Author: Piselli, Caroline; von Saleski, Bernice; Belley, Susan; Garrett, Gail S.; Zak, Cindy

Source: AHIMA Convention

Publication Date: September 27, 2010

Introduction:

Caroline Piselli, Moderator

As the countdown to ICD-10 reaches 3 short years, this comprehensive overhaul of healthcare informatics moves front and center for HIM professionals. ICD-10 is on the one hand a massive logistical and technical challenge for every fac....

Crosswalk Options for Legacy Systems: Implementing Near-Term Tactical Solutions for ICD-10

Author: Bhuttar, Vijaya Kumar

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: June 2011

Payers that are not ready to migrate from legacy systems are looking at tactical solutions for making their existing systems ICD-10 compliant in the near term. Most solutions involve a crosswalk between old and new code sets, created from four basic options.

For a long time, le....

Data Management a Hot Topic at ICD-10 Summit: Top Ten Lists, Documentation Teams, and Code Freeze Info Among Highlights

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....

Designing Decision-Based Coding Education: Integrating ICD-10-CM/PCS and CAC

Author: Smith, Gail I.

Source: AHIMA Convention

Publication Date: October 01, 2011

Destination 10: Healthcare Organization Preparation for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS (2004 update)

Author: AHIMA Coding Products and Services Team

Publication Date: March 2004

This practice brief has been retired. It is made available for historical purposes only.

Determining Principal Diagnosis on Admission and Returns from the Hospital

Author: Lefert, Charlotte

Source: Long Term Care Insights | AHIMA newsletter article

Publication Date: February 2009

Determining the principal diagnosis in long term care facilities can be challenging. With the adoption of HIPAA, definitive guidance for coders in nursing homes was established. It is important that staff performing the task of ICD-9-CM coding is aware and adhere to the requirements and gu....

Developing a Coder Training Strategy for ICD-10-CM/PCS

Author:

Source: AHIMA Advantage

Publication Date: December 2009

Developing a Coding Compliance Policy Document (2001)

Author: AHIMA Coding Team

Publication Date: July 2001

This practice brief has been updated. See the latest version here. This version is made available for historical purposes only.

Developing a Coding Compliance Policy Document (2010 update)

Author: AHIMA

Publication Date: March 2010

This practice brief has been retired. It is made available for historical purposes only.

Developing an ICD-10-CM/PCS Coder Training Strategy

Author: Majerowicz, Anita

Publication Date: April 2011

Although the ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation deadline is two and a half years away, it is not too early to begin planning coder training. Solid training plans will ensure a smooth transition and minimize the transition's impact on productivity. A well-planned training strategy will ensure that co....

Developing Coding Professionals That Can Code Any Claim

Author: Butler, Mary

Publication Date: May 31, 2016

Prior to the implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS, Chloe Phillips, MHA, RHIA, director, HIM and clinical revenue at Brookwood Baptist Health, and her team had a decision to make. Would her organization continue using CPT codes on outpatient and physician claims, or would they dual code them usi....

Development of the ICD-10 Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS)

Author: Averill, Richard F.; Mullin, Robert L.; Steinbeck, Barbara A.; Goldfield, Norbert I; Grant, Thelma M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 1998

The ICD-10 Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) has been developed as a replacement for Volume 3 of ICD-9-CM. This article will describe the development and structure of ICD-10-PCS‹as well as describe the modifications that have been made to the system as a result of extensive review and test....

Diagnosis Coding and Medical Necessity: Rules and Reimbursement

Author: Cogley, Janis

Source: AHIMA Convention

Publication Date: October 15, 2004

Introduction

The origins of using diagnosis codes in hospitals and other healthcare settings goes back to the early 1950s when the US Public Health Service and the Veterans Administration extended the concept of using the International Classification of Diseases to hospital indexing of m....

Differentiating Fracture Coding with Osteoporosis Present

Author: Sanvik, Gina

Publication Date: June 08, 2016

While working on the team for AHIMA’s Code-CheckTM Coding Question Service, I’ve noticed several questions related to providing clarification in ICD-10-CM for a fracture in a patient with known osteoporosis.

ICD-10-CM expands the code selection to more than 150 pa....

Differentiating Procedure Approach in ICD-10-PCS: Fifth Character Captures Specificity

Author: Barta, Ann

Publication Date: October 2009

One of ICD-10-PCS’s goals is to ensure a complete picture of a patient’s procedure. Completeness means that there is a unique code for all substantially different procedures, including the same procedure performed using a different approach.

All ICD-10-PCS codes are seven....

Disease of the Eye and Ear

Author: Simmons, Cortnie R.

Source: ICD-TEN Top Emerging News | AHIMA newsletter article

Publication Date: June 02, 2011

While the last article we discussed the musculoskeletal system, this article will be discussing diseases of the eye and ear. The eye and ear are two of the most complex sensory organs. The eye is composed of structures that are not only related to vision but other sensory organs as well. The e....

Disorders of the Breast

Author: Prophet, Sue

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 1996

Carcinoma

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Risk factors include a personal or family history of breast cancer, delayed childbearing, and personal history of benign breast disease.
A tumor may be identified by mammogram or self-examination. Many tumors are d....

Dissecting the Operative Report for Accurate ICD-10-PCS Code Assignment

Author: DeVault, Kathryn

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: June 2016

The implementation of ICD-10-PCS has created new challenges in coding surgical procedures. While coding professionals have always been expected to read and interpret all surgical documentation, ICD-10-PCS has increased the level of understanding necessary for accurate code assignment.

Documentation: Impact on ICD-10 Coding, Case Mix, and Quality Measures

Author: Perez, Mario A. III; Tully, Melinda

Source: AHIMA Convention

Publication Date: October 21, 2005

Introduction

Public, consumer, and regulatory demands for meaningful and useful quality of care information call for a response from healthcare providers and HIM professionals. Healthcare leaders must treat public performance reporting and report cards as a strategic opportunity to act pr....

Documentation Issues in ICD-10-CM/PCS

Author: Rhinehart, Ebenetta M

Source: CodeWrite | AHIMA newsletter article

Publication Date: April 2015

Clinical documentation specialists (CDS’s) are experiencing an increased emphasis on the work they do because of the increased specificity required for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS coding. Currently, unanswered queries are a nuisance and may result in an inaccurate diagnosis-related group&nbs....

‘Don't Slow Down’: An ICD-10 Summit Wrap-Up

Author: Dimick, Chris

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: June 2012

In an industry facing several distractions from various government initiatives and regulation changes, ICD-10-CM/PCS became the center of attention from April 16-17 as top experts and interested parties gathered in Baltimore, MD to discuss the ongoing transition to the new code set at the 2012....

DRG Grouping and ICD-10-CM/PCS

Author: Foley, Margaret M.

Source: Journal of AHIMA - Coding Notes | Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: July 2015

Prior to the October 1, 2015 implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS, every hospital must examine how the new code set will impact MS-DRG reimbursement. A recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) analysis indicates the overall effect of the transition to ICD-10 on hospital reimburs....

DSM-5 vs. ICD-10-CM

Author: Foley, Dianna

Source: AHIMA blog post | Journal of AHIMA - website

Publication Date: August 10, 2016

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) both present ways to classify diseases. In the case of DSM-5, it is strictly for mental dis....

Effective and Efficient Public Health Reporting Using ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS

Author: Watzlaf, Valerie J.M.; Garvin, Jennifer Hornung; Moeini, Sohrab; Firouzan, Patricia Anania

Source: AHIMA Convention

Publication Date: October 31, 2006

Effective Public Health Reporting Using ICD-10-CM
Valerie JM Watzlaf, PhD, FAHIMA, RHIA, Jennifer Hornung Garvin, PhD, FAHIMA, RHIA, CTR, CCS, CPHQ, Sohrab Moeini, BSIS, and Patti Firouzan, MSIS, RHIA
Impact
Introduction

The emergence of ICD-10-CM brings anticipation about....

Effectiveness of ICD-10-CM in Capturing Public Health Diseases

Author: Watzlaf, Valerie J.M.; Garvin, Jennifer Hornung; Moeini, Sohrab; Firouzan, Patricia Anania

Source: Perspectives in Health Information Management

Publication Date: June 2007

This research study examined the usefulness of the ICD-10-CM system in capturing public health diseases (reportable diseases or the nationally notifiable infectious diseases, leading causes of death, and morbidity/mortality related to terrorism), when compared to ICD-9-CM. It also examined agreement levels of coders when coding public health diseases in both ICD-10-CM and ICD-9-CM.

Effects of ICD-10 on Coding Productivity

Author: Endicott, Melanie

Source: AHIMA blog post | Journal of AHIMA - website

Publication Date: March 10, 2016

In the years leading up to ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation, doomsdayers chanted horror stories of expected productivity losses of up to 50 percent. Now that we are nearly six months post-implementation, I’ve yet to hear about an instance where such a prediction came true.....

Electronic Documentation Templates Support ICD-10-CM/PCS Implementation

Author: AHIMA

Publication Date: October 2012

This practice brief has been updated. See the latest version here. This version is made available for historical purposes only.

Electronic Documentation Templates Support ICD-10-CM/PCS Implementation (2015 update)

Author: AHIMA Work Group

Publication Date: June 2015

Editor’s Note: This Practice Brief supersedes the October 2012 Practice Brief “Electronic Documentation Templates Support ICD-10-CM/PCS Implementation.”

Improving patient care continues to take center stage in the healthcare industry, as demonstrated by an increa....

Embracing ICD-10 Advocacy: HIM Professionals Must Offer Implementation Help to Physicians

Author: Rode, Dan

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: February 2013

Members of the AHIMA staff and ICD-10 Implementation Coalition recently met with the incoming House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee and Health Subcommittee Vice Chairman, Michael Burgess, MD. Discussion included considerations for how to reach out to those physician groups....

Endocrine System and ICD-10-CM/PCS

Author: Simmons, Cortnie R.

Source: ICD-TEN Top Emerging News | AHIMA newsletter article

Publication Date: February 02, 2011

This is the first in a series of articles focusing on body systems, the systems' common medical terminology, and some differences in the systems' ICD-10-CM/PCS code assignments.

So here we are in 2011, a little bit closer to October 2013, and by now every coding professional should k....

Endoscopic Surgery Brings Relief to Sinus Patients

Author: Huff-Allen, Angela; Wills-Dubose, Sarah

Publication Date: January 2004

Millions of people are afflicted with chronic sinusitis annually. Most patients can be effectively treated with antibiotics, but for those who cannot, surgery is often recommended.
Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is one of the fastest growing procedures performed in the field of otolaryng....

Engaging Physicians in ICD-10 Planning: The Documentation Link

Author: Bryant, Gloryanne H.

Publication Date: May 2012

There is much to do before we reach ICD-10 go-live in our organizations-including engaging the medical staff. Physician engagement is important in all healthcare settings and initiatives, but it will be essential in an organization's successful transition to ICD-10.

Obtaining engage....

Ensuring Compliant Malnutrition Coding

Author: Bryant, Gloryanne H.

Publication Date: October 2011

Coding malnutrition has always been a challenge, especially since MS-DRGs were implemented. However, with Recovery Audit Contractors and other regulatory auditing being initiated across the country, providers and HIM professionals must be proactive rather than reactive when coding this conditi....

Evolving and Adapting: The Changing Role of the CDI Professional

Author: Endicott, Melanie

Publication Date: August 06, 2014

The role of the clinical documentation improvement (CDI) professional is ever-changing. When CDI programs first started rolling out in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the focus was exclusively on acute care Medicare inpatients. The focus was merely on capturin....

Expecting a Bargain: HIM Directors at Risk of Underestimating ICD-10 Coder Training Costs

Author: AHIMA

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: January 2012

HIM directors and managers may be greatly underestimating the amount of money it will take to train their coding staff on ICD-10-CM/PCS, according to survey results from AHIMA.

The survey, conducted with more than 600 HIM professionals this past fall, showed that department heads who....

Experts Suggest Beginning ICD-10 Implementation Today

Author: AHIMA

Source: AHIMA Today

Publication Date: October 05, 2009

There is no time like the present to begin planning for the national coding switch to ICD-10-CM/PCS, according to several HIM professionals presenting here at convention.

Coding staff don’t need to start poring over new code books yet. But other preparations must be made for a facili....

External Cause Codes in ICD-10-CM

Author: Fuller, Jan C.

Source: CodeWrite | AHIMA newsletter article

Publication Date: August 2014

The increased specificity in ICD-10-CM is reflected in a substantial increase in external cause codes. The traditional “E code” has been replaced with V, W, X and Y codes. While the purpose of the codes remains the same, the ICD-10-CM codes provide a level of detail not possible in ICD-9-....

Field Guide: Seeing the Trees through the Forest in 2012

Author: Dimick, Chris

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: January 2012

A forest of issues crowds the 2012 HIM landscape. AHIMA practice experts offer a guide for the year ahead.

The seedlings of change planted in 2009 by the announcement of the ICD-10 transition and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act have sprouted into a towering forest of....

Fighting CDI Fires in ICD-10: Three "Burning Questions" Every Organization Must Answer

Author: Haas, Dianne

Source: ICD-TEN Top Emerging News | AHIMA newsletter article

Publication Date: December 2015

It's an unfortunate reality in the world of clinical documentation improvement (CDI) that the majority of documentation challenges in ICD-10 are the same challenges we faced in ICD-9. These challenges didn't disappear overnight just because we flipped the switch to a new coding classificat....

Final Report: Effective Public Health Reporting Using ICD-10-CM

Author: Watzlaf, Valerie J.M.; Garvin, Jennifer Hornung; Moeini, Sohrab; Firouzan, Patricia Anania

Source: AHIMA Foundation

Publication Date: June 02, 2006

This study investigates the completeness and measures the effectiveness and efficiency of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS in capturing and reporting public health information.

First Steps for Synergizing Health IT Projects: Work can be reduced and enhanced by connecting ICD-10 implementation with other health IT efforts

Author: Mitchell, Glenn

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: May 2013

Editor's note: This article is the second of a two-part series discussing how to synergize an ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation with other healthcare projects and requirements. The first part, "Synergizing ICD-10," was published in March 2013.

Once an organization ident....

Fiscal Year 2007 ICD-9-CM Changes

Author: Zeisset, Ann M.; Schraffenberger, Lou Ann

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: September 2006

Editor's note: This article is an expanded version of the article "ICD-9-CM Coding Changes for Fiscal Year 2007" published in the September 2006 edition of the Journal of AHIMA.
Hematology Issues

Lymphatic and Hematopoietic Tissues
New codes were approved to uniquely....

Flowing with Coding’s Changing Tide: The Evolving Role of Coders

Author: Endicott, Melanie

Publication Date: July 2013

With the oncoming swell of ICD-10-CM/PCS (ICD-10) and computer-assisted coding (CAC), coders may be wondering what the future holds for their career. Some worry that the transition to ICD-10 will be very challenging for long-term coders who have been using ICD-9-CM for several decades. The....

Four CDI challenges Emerge in ICD-10

Author: Fee, James P

Publication Date: December 2015

Editor’s Note: Read this article’s companion piece “Fighting CDI Fires in ICD-10: Three Burning Questions Every Organization Must Answer” in the December 2015 edition of ICD-TEN, available here.

For most clinical documentation improvement (CDI) sp....

Fracture Treatment Poses Coding Challenge: Multiple Treatment Options Require Special Attention

Author: Hutchinson, Mark R.; Stanfill, Mary H

Publication Date: April 2003

There are 206 bones in the human body and each is susceptible to fracture. The choices in fracture management are complex and based on a number of issues including fracture type, fracture pattern, specific bone, age of fracture, age of patient, associated injuries, and physician preference. Co....

From V Codes to Z Codes: Transitioning to ICD-10

Author: Kostick, Karen M.

Publication Date: February 2004

V codes, described in the ICD-9-CM chapter “Supplementary Classification of Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services,” are often misunderstood in reporting healthcare services. These codes are designed for occasions when circumstances other than a disease....

From V Codes to Z Codes: Transitioning to ICD-10 (Updated)

Author: Kostick, Karen M.

Publication Date: November 2011

Editor's note: This column supercedes the February 2004 article "From V Codes to Z Codes: Transitioning to ICD-10."

V codes, described in the ICD-9-CM chapter "Supplementary Classification of Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services," are designed for occasi....

FY1999 Inpatient PPS Changes: ICD-9-CM Revisions

Author: Prophet, Sue

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: October 1998

All of the inpatient DRG and other inpatient Prospective Payment System (PPS) changes described below became effective with discharges occurring on or after October 1, 1998. Complete details of these changes can be found in the Federal Register.1
Transfers to Postacute Settings

....

FY 2004 New Diagnosis Codes

Author:

Source: Journal of AHIMA

Publication Date: November 2003

ICD-9-CM codes with their DRG assignments

FY 2012 ICD-10-PCS Updates

Author: Rihanek, Theresa

Publication Date: April 2012

Limited updates were made to ICD-10-PCS for fiscal year 2012 as set forth under the partial code freeze established by the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee.1 The freeze is intended to aid the transition to the new code set by limiting updates for 2012 and 2013 to essential chan....

FY 2013 ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Updates

Author: Rihanek, Theresa