On June 18, 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a preview of its new International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). ICD-11 will be formally presented at the World Health Assembly on May 2019 for adoption by Member States, and will come into effect the 1st of January 2022. The advanced preview will allow countries to plan how to use the new version to prepare translations and train health professionals.
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From a coding perspective, the IABP is not classified as a device such as the VAD’s. The IABP is not coded as a device within ICD-10-PCS and is coded with the root operation of “Assistance.” The ICD-10-PCS code for insertion of an IABP for continuous pumping would be 5A02210, Extracorporeal or Systemic Assistance, Physiologic Systems, Assistance, Cardiac, Continuous, Output, Balloon Pump.
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The key to a quality physician query is the question. The question provides direction for the choice of clinical indicators and options for response. So why do so many coders have trouble writing the question? My theory is that coders overthink the question rather than keeping it simple and to the point. The best way to get a physician to answer a query is with a question that makes sense and eliminates guessing as to what is being asked.
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Locating ventilator times were difficult in the paper medical record, but has not become any easier with the implementation on the electronic health record (EHR.) Coders should be encouraged to review the record for exact ventilator times. As mentioned above, this could come down to minutes when selecting the correct ICD-10-PCS code.
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Hamilton. If you haven’t seen it, you’ve heard of it. The Broadway mega-hit has been the toughest ticket on Broadway since its debut in 2015. For the uninitiated, Hamilton explores the life and triumphs of the previously obscure “ten-dollar founding father,” Alexander Hamilton, through rap, hip-hop, and musical theatre.
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