• Facility coding error. Look for true coding errors. Is the code
invalid, missing an additional digit, placeholder or 7
th
character? Was
the code selection incorrect, or should you have reported a more spe-
cific code? If you spot a pattern of errors, address it with your coding
staff.
It doesn't end here
This October also ends the partial freeze on ICD-10 updates, which
means updates for the 2017 coding schedule are set to resume and
take effect in just a few months. The healthcare industry is getting
roughly 5,500 new ICD-10-CM diagnosis and ICD-10-PCS procedure
codes. There will be roughly 3,600 new or revised ICD-10-PCS codes,
and 1,900 ICD-10-CM codes, with the latter being phased in within the
next 2 years. You can view ICD-10-PCS updates (osmag.net/Hhg4HF),
but as of this writing ICD-10-CM updates have not yet been released.
Now's a good time to review all new, revised and deleted ICD-10
codes to assess the impact these additions may have on your facility.
Surgical centers are not required to report ICD-10-PCS codes, so ASCs
can focus on the 2017 ICD-10-CM updates. All facilities should:
• Review the 2017 ICD-10-CM updates that go into effect Oct. 1.
(Hospitals should also review the ICD-10-PCS codes.)
• Educate business office and clinical staff as soon as any updates
are accessible (they should appear on the CDC's website once avail-
able).
• Review operative reports and documentation to verify whether the
new diagnosis codes are supported.
• Verify that the code changes will be added to your current soft-
ware and electronic health record system.
OSM
Ms. Bentin (cristina@ccmpro.com), the president of Coding Compliance
Management, is an AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM trainer.
Coding & Billing
CB
3 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U L Y 2 0 1 6
