Turkey, Stuffing, and ICD-10-CM

by Melanie Endicott

With the holidays coming up, it’s time to have a little fun with ICD-10-CM codes.  The following tells the story of a Thanksgiving full of mishaps… if your ICD-10-CM skills are up to the challenge.

Josie and Tom had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing, rolls, and mashed potatoes in their Y92.011. After dinner and pumpkin pie, Tom began feeling R53.83, so he lay down on the couch to rest. A few hours later, Tom woke with excruciating R07.9 and R06.02. Josie quickly rushed Tom to the emergency room where it was determined that he had K21.9 and was discharged. Josie and Tom returned home. On Black Friday, Tom decided to stay home and rest due to his continuing K21.9 and R53.83.  Josie grabbed the credit card and headed to the mall at 4 a.m. While waiting for the mall to open, she witnessed all sorts of atrocities, including Y04.2XXA, while people clamored to be first in line. When the doors to the mall finally opened at 5 a.m., there was a massive W52.XXXA. Luckily Josie made it inside the mall unharmed and was able to find some great deals. After a few hours of rigorous shopping, Josie stopped at a café for a coffee and bagel. While sipping on her coffee on her way to the next store, she proceeded to W10.0XXA which resulted in a T23.261A and T23.211A. This ended her day of shopping and she went back to her Y92.013 to recuperate after a torturous day of shopping.

Melanie Endicott, MBA/HCM, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, is senior director of HIM practice excellence, coding and CDI products development at AHIMA. She has over 15 years experience in HIM and coding, with her most recent focus being in ICD-10-CM/PCS, and has presented numerous times at the regional, state, and national levels on HIM and coding topics. She was previously a director of HIM practice excellence, focusing on coding products, resources, and education, at AHIMA. Melanie is an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer and an ICD-10 Ambassador.