HIAlearn – Coding Staff Development & Training
Unmatched industry expertise
Ensuring the educational development of your coding staff is of utmost importance. Whether you need additional focused education based on review findings or the tools to foster ongoing coder development, HIA has you covered with the latest coding updates and regulatory changes. Much of our material is approved by AHIMA and/or AAPC for CEUs. View our extensive HIAlearn library here.
HIAlearn Offerings
Education may take many avenues, including on-site visits, audio recordings and online education modules. Training can consist of one-on-one, group sessions or self-paced. Programs can be tailored to fit any time frame, from a few hours to monthly training and monitoring of new coding staff. We utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to house coding education sessions. Individual participants are provided a username/password to access the LMS from a designated website.
Education Counts
Our 70-years of combined teaching experience has taught us that academic instruction fused with practical application creates a comprehensive learning experience that benefits our team and yours.
Pat Maccariella-Hafey
Executive Director of Education
Beth Martilik
Assistant Director of Education
Kim Carrier
Director of Coding Quality Assurance
Coding Tip: Getting Control of Root Operation Control
Since the implementation of ICD-10-PCS in 2015, yearly changes have been made regarding the definition of, and guidelines associated with, the root operation Control. This has caused coding professionals much confusion in determining whether to assign a procedure to root operation Control, to assign another root operation, or to not assign a procedure code at all. The objective of this article is to learn when the root operation Control should be assigned when coding a procedure.
CMS Releases Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule for CY 2019
This major proposed rule addresses changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services, as well as changes in the statute.
Want a sneak peek at ICD-11?
For example, open the ICD-11 online link and click on “Browse the release version.” Then choose “Coding Tool” tab at the top. We chose “sepsis.” Sepsis without shock is coded to 1G40. Sepsis with septic shock is coded 1G41. A bit different than ICD-10!
Query Tip: The Many Meanings of “Unable to Determine”
Queries written in a multiple-choice format include a short list of options for physician response. These options must be relevant and supported by the clinical indicators included in the query. In the event a physician cannot provide further specificity by using one of these listed options, there must be an additional option for “unable to determine.”
Query Tip: Is Sepsis Present on Admission?
In addition to positive clinical indicators documented at the time of admission, any of these that occur within the few days after admission should also be included. This will support the fact that sepsis could have developed after admission. It is important that a POA query give equal attention to what supports POA yes, as well as POA no to avoid the appearance of a leading query.
Query Tip: Query Question is Key
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.
Coding Tip: Reporting Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) in ICD-10-PCS
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.
Coding Tip: New Technology Drugs FY 2018
Kim Carrier RHIT, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P Director of Coding Quality Assurance AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer New Technology-ICD-10-PCS Section “X” DRUGS Section “X” is a separate place within ICD-10-PCS for certain new technology procedures (such as new technology...
Coding Tip: Aromatase Inhibitor Use Reporting
Kim Carrier RHIT, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P Director of Coding Quality Assurance AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer With the implementation of ICD-10-CM came more codes for reporting the long-term use of drugs. There is now a code to report long-term use (LTU) of aromatase...
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Popular Posts
Query Tip: The Many Meanings of “Unable to Determine”
Queries written in a multiple-choice format include a short list of options for physician response. These options must be relevant and supported by the clinical indicators included in the query. In the event a physician cannot provide further specificity by using one of these listed options, there must be an additional option for “unable to determine.”
Coding Tip: Getting Control of Root Operation Control
Since the implementation of ICD-10-PCS in 2015, yearly changes have been made regarding the definition of, and guidelines associated with, the root operation Control. This has caused coding professionals much confusion in determining whether to assign a procedure to root operation Control, to assign another root operation, or to not assign a procedure code at all. The objective of this article is to learn when the root operation Control should be assigned when coding a procedure.
IPPS Final Rule: Here’s What You Need to Know
The policies in the IPPS/LTCH PPS final rule further advance the agency’s priority of creating a patient-centered healthcare system by achieving greater price transparency, interoperability, and significant burden reduction so that hospitals can operate with better…
Coding & Quality Measures: The Code Hard Truth
In this current, ever-changing healthcare climate, health systems face many challenges. Facilities large and small must be dedicated to improving documentation and reducing complications, HACs, infection rates, and readmissions as they endeavor towards value-based care. Coding inaccuracies can really undermine…
Achieve Sustained Results with HIA’s Coding Services
It’s imperative, in today’s challenging healthcare environment, that organizations demand complete and accurate coding practices from their vendors if they want: Appropriate and timely reimbursement; Representative quality measures; Improved CMI; Reduction in payor denials and; Mitigation of compliance risks.
HIAlearn – Coding Staff Development & Training
Unmatched industry expertise
Ensuring the educational development of your coding staff is of utmost importance. Whether you need additional focused education based on review findings or the tools to foster ongoing coder development, HIA has you covered with the latest coding updates and regulatory changes. Much of our material is approved by AHIMA and/or AAPC for CEUs. View our extensive HIAlearn library here.
HIAlearn Offerings
Education may take many avenues, including on-site visits, audio recordings and online education modules. Training can consist of one-on-one, group sessions or self-paced. Programs can be tailored to fit any time frame, from a few hours to monthly training and monitoring of new coding staff. We utilize a Learning Management System (LMS) to house coding education sessions. Individual participants are provided a username/password to access the LMS from a designated website.
Education Counts
Our 92-years of combined teaching experience has taught us that academic instruction fused with practical application creates a comprehensive learning experience that benefits our team and yours.
Pat Maccariella-Hafey
Executive Director of Education
Coding Tip: Getting Control of Root Operation Control
Since the implementation of ICD-10-PCS in 2015, yearly changes have been made regarding the definition of, and guidelines associated with, the root operation Control. This has caused coding professionals much confusion in determining whether to assign a procedure to root operation Control, to assign another root operation, or to not assign a procedure code at all. The objective of this article is to learn when the root operation Control should be assigned when coding a procedure.
CMS Releases Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule for CY 2019
This major proposed rule addresses changes to the Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS) and other Medicare Part B payment policies to ensure that our payment systems are updated to reflect changes in medical practice and the relative value of services, as well as changes in the statute.
Want a sneak peek at ICD-11?
For example, open the ICD-11 online link and click on “Browse the release version.” Then choose “Coding Tool” tab at the top. We chose “sepsis.” Sepsis without shock is coded to 1G40. Sepsis with septic shock is coded 1G41. A bit different than ICD-10!
Beth Martilik
Assistant Director of Education
Query Tip: The Many Meanings of “Unable to Determine”
Queries written in a multiple-choice format include a short list of options for physician response. These options must be relevant and supported by the clinical indicators included in the query. In the event a physician cannot provide further specificity by using one of these listed options, there must be an additional option for “unable to determine.”
Query Tip: Is Sepsis Present on Admission?
In addition to positive clinical indicators documented at the time of admission, any of these that occur within the few days after admission should also be included. This will support the fact that sepsis could have developed after admission. It is important that a POA query give equal attention to what supports POA yes, as well as POA no to avoid the appearance of a leading query.
Query Tip: Query Question is Key
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.
Kim Carrier
Director of Coding Quality Assurance
Coding Tip: Reporting Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump (IABP) in ICD-10-PCS
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.
Coding Tip: New Technology Drugs FY 2018
Kim Carrier RHIT, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P Director of Coding Quality Assurance AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer New Technology-ICD-10-PCS Section “X” DRUGS Section “X” is a separate place within ICD-10-PCS for certain new technology procedures (such as new technology...
Coding Tip: Aromatase Inhibitor Use Reporting
Kim Carrier RHIT, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P Director of Coding Quality Assurance AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer With the implementation of ICD-10-CM came more codes for reporting the long-term use of drugs. There is now a code to report long-term use (LTU) of aromatase...
Get Started
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Popular Posts
Query Tip: The Many Meanings of “Unable to Determine”
Queries written in a multiple-choice format include a short list of options for physician response. These options must be relevant and supported by the clinical indicators included in the query. In the event a physician cannot provide further specificity by using one of these listed options, there must be an additional option for “unable to determine.”
Coding Tip: Getting Control of Root Operation Control
Since the implementation of ICD-10-PCS in 2015, yearly changes have been made regarding the definition of, and guidelines associated with, the root operation Control. This has caused coding professionals much confusion in determining whether to assign a procedure to root operation Control, to assign another root operation, or to not assign a procedure code at all. The objective of this article is to learn when the root operation Control should be assigned when coding a procedure.
IPPS Final Rule: Here’s What You Need to Know
The policies in the IPPS/LTCH PPS final rule further advance the agency’s priority of creating a patient-centered healthcare system by achieving greater price transparency, interoperability, and significant burden reduction so that hospitals can operate with better…
Coding & Quality Measures: The Code Hard Truth
In this current, ever-changing healthcare climate, health systems face many challenges. Facilities large and small must be dedicated to improving documentation and reducing complications, HACs, infection rates, and readmissions as they endeavor towards value-based care. Coding inaccuracies can really undermine…
Achieve Sustained Results with HIA’s Coding Services
It’s imperative, in today’s challenging healthcare environment, that organizations demand complete and accurate coding practices from their vendors if they want: Appropriate and timely reimbursement; Representative quality measures; Improved CMI; Reduction in payor denials and; Mitigation of compliance risks.
See how HIAlearn
will benefit you
Overcome common coding challenges identified during audits and coding staff performance reviews with HIAlearn Action Plans.
See how HIAlearn
will benefit you
Overcome common coding challenges identified during audits and coding staff performance reviews with HIAlearn Action Plans.
