- Home
- » Health Information Management Main Page
- » Newsletters
- » Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies
- » Newsletters
- » Health Information Management Main Page
Health Information Management Newsletters
Briefings on APCs Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies Briefings on HIPAA HIM Briefings

Submitting improper Medicare documentation can lead to denial of fees, payback, fines, and increased diligence from payers. Let BOCCS help you avoid fraud and stay in compliance.
2016
|
2015
|
2014
|
2013
|
2012
|
2011
|
2010
|
2009
|
2008
|
2007
|
2006
|
2005
|
2004
|
2003
|
2002
|
2001
Issue 12, December 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Bypass problems when coding CABG
Coding for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures will be very different in ICD-10-PCS. -
Combine coding guidelines, clinical definitions to correctly code sepsis in ICD-9-CM
Coding for sepsis requires a strong knowledge of ICD-9-CM coding guidelines, as well as complete... -
CMS finalizes change to physician certification requirement in 2015 OPPS final rule
Beginning January 1, 2015, physicians will no longer need to provide certification for an inpatient... -
Getting short of breath in ICD-10-CM
Robert S. Gold, MD, highlights areas of concern for respiratory conditions in ICD-10-CM.
Issue 11, November 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Master malnutrition definitions, coding rules
Malnutrition is at its most basic level any nutritional imbalance. While it can be overnutrition... -
Don't forget about approach for ICD-10-PCS
ICD-10-PCS codes consist of seven characters, each of which identifies a unique, specific piece of... -
Start resolving ICD-10-CM question
Many coders rely on the advice in the American Hospital Association (AHA)'s Coding Clinic to... -
TBB or not TBB, that is the question
Physicians use a lot of shortcuts and abbreviations. Some of them may even make it to the official...
Issue 10, October 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Strains, sprains, and dislocations: ICD-10-CM orthopedic changes go beyond fractures
Changes to the codes for musculoskeletal injuries goes beyond just increased codes for fractures... -
Manage denials for inpatient-only procedures
CMS designates a certain set of procedures as inpatient-only, meaning it will only reimburse... -
Diagnose documentation shortcomings
Discover where your physician documentation falls short as you prepare for ICD-10. -
What the docs told you they did isn't what they actually did
Robert S. Gold, MD, explains why physicians don’t always document what they do and how... -
ICD-10-CM training tool: Fracture coding
This month, we are providing a 10-question quiz on ICD-10-CM coding for fractures.
Issue 9, September 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
2015 IPPS final rule: Quality measures can cause coding concerns
Quality measures, such as the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program, the Hospital... -
Seven ICD-10 misconceptions and myths busted
ICD-10 implementation and coding present plenty of challenges, especially when it comes to... -
Get ready for new ICD-10 date
Learn how coders can help ensure the latest ICD-10 implementation date is the final ICD-10... -
What is ethical coding?
Robert S. Gold, MD, discusses the importance of ethical coding.
Issue 8, August 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
CMS proposes change for physician certifications with inpatient hospital admissions
CMS introduced a singificant change to physician certification requirements in the 2015 OPPS... -
The path to pathologic fractures: How to get there from here in ICD-10-CM
In ICD-10-CM, you need to communicate with the medical staff about the specific elements that are... -
Training tool: ICD-10-CM quiz
Use this 10-question quiz to determine how well you understand ICD-10-CM coding for diseases of the... -
Focus on fracture coding changes in ICD-10-CM
The section of codes that expanded most in ICD-10-CM involves orthopedic injuries, especially... -
ICD-10 quiz answers
Here are the answers to the ICD-10-CM training quiz on p. 8: -
Brush up on types of bone fractures
Fractures can be open or closed, displaced or nondisplaced. Different types of fractures show...
Issue 7, July 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Review and reevaluate the process for identifying inpatient-only procedures
CMS' introduction of the 2-midnight rule in the 2014 IPPS final rule makes properly identifying... -
Communicate link between quality of physician documentation, quality of care
Physician documentation drives quality measures, but physicians often don't understand how the... -
Training tool: ICD-10-PCS case study
ICD-10-PCS will be a big change for inpatient coders. The best way to learn the new coding system... -
You say -osis and I'll say -itis
In this month's Clinically Speaking column, Robert S. Gold, MD, reviews the various types of... -
Training tool answer
Here is the answer to the case study.
Issue 6, June 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
CMS continues focus on quality measures
CMS' 2015 IPPS proposed rule, released April 30, focuses on quality measures, such as HAC... -
Make sure you face the latest ICD-10 delay with optimism instead of skepticism
The April 1 confirmation of the delay in implementing the ICD-10 code set until at least October... -
What's wise with wounds by Robert S. Gold, MD
Coding of wounds has been a complicated and never-ending issue and it will become a bit more...
Issue 5, May 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Another ICD-10 delay leaves healthcare industry with more questions than answers
Congress needed just a week to throw a huge monkey wrench into the healthcare industry's plans for... -
BCCS board weighs in on ICD-10 delay
When Congress passed the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014, it mandated at least a one-year... -
ICD-10-CM offers a new twist on complications: Codes that act as their own CC or MCC
A diabetic patient is admitted with gangrene. The physician does not specifically link the diabetes... -
WHEW! The ICD-10 pressure's off, or is it?
At the time of this publication, the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 bill was recently... -
Coding Clinic offers specific ICD-10 guidance
Coding Clinic's Fourth Quarter 2013 issue focuses considerable attention on ICD-10-CM coding.
Issue 4, April 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Defining the goal of the CDI department
In an ideal world, all coders and CDI specialists would get along well and work together with... -
Consider the meaning of 'after study' and 'due to' when selecting a principal diagnosis
Don’t let the idea of ‘after study’ lead you to the wrong principal... -
Query challenges coming with ICD-10-PCS
Coders will need more information to report ICD-10-PCS codes, so who will send the queries? -
Don't fall into ICD-10 coding traps
Robert S. Gold, MD, highlights coding traps to avoid in ICD-10-CM, including hypostatic... -
Coding Clinic offers specific ICD-10 guidance
Coding Clinic's Third and Fourth Quarter 2013 issues focus considerable attention on ICD-10-PCS...
Issue 3, March 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Details help differentiate between ICD-10-PCS root operations excision and resection
ICD-10-CM root operations excision and resection are sometimes hard to differentiate. ICD-10-PCS... -
Determine when and how to query physicians
Coders and clinicians seem to speak different languages. CDI specialists often serve as the... -
Don't overlook ICD-9 trouble spots
With the deadline for ICD-10 implementation quickly approaching, ICD-9 problems may not receive the... -
Patient acuity takes center stage with APR-DRGs
Most inpatient coders are very familiar with MS-DRGs and Base DRGs. They may not, however, be as... -
More areas of concern for compliance and accuracy in ICD-10 coding
You all know that I have been unhappy with some code definitions in ICD-9 and have ucceeded in...
Issue 2, February 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Focus on key factors to ensure accurate principal diagnosis selection
The UHDDS defines principal diagnosis as the condition established after study to be chiefly... -
Know when to report an unspecified code
To report an unspecified code or to query, that is the question. And like so many coding... -
Identify MS-DRG shifts as ICD-10 nears
Inpatient coders will see an entirely new coding system October 1 when they begin officially using... -
ICD-10-CM sample queries
These sample queries were adapted from The CDI Specialist’s Guide to ICD-10, created and... -
Is neonatal really neonatal? How statistics can be warped through misunderstanding
Whether you work in a dedicated children’s hospital or a general hospital with a pediatric...
Issue 1, January 1, 2014 - VIEW THE FULL ISSUE
-
Accuracy is as important as speed in coding in ICD-10
Different studies using different methodologies all point to the same conclusion: Coder... -
Clinical indicators reduce CC confusion
Coders live in a very difficult world. They want to do what is best for their organization based on... -
Code sets we need but don't have yet
800x600 Robert S. Gold, MD, highlights areas where code choices are lacking... -
Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies 2013 index
800x600 Looking for a past BCCS article? Find what you need with the 2013 article...