The April 1 confirmation of the delay in implementing the ICD-10 code set certainly took the wind out of many healthcare organizations' sails. Those organizations spent countless hours and dollars preparing for the go-live date that was six months away.
The intent of quality and safety programs is evaluating and monitoring performance and improving results. Organizations develop annual quality and safety plans with measurable objectives that departments adopt and include as integral to their performance improvement plans.
"Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." ?Dr. Seuss
This quote seemed an appropriate way to begin a discussion about outpatient encounters and ICD-10-PCS.
You see, outpatient procedures will still be coded using CPT®/HCPCS?the HIPAA-approved code set for reporting hospital outpatient procedures?regardless of when ICD-10 is implemented.
Coders have only two options for reporting fractures of the patella in ICD-9-CM, closed (822.0) and open (822.1). In ICD-10-CM, that number will jump to more than 400.
Many of these options are the result of separate codes to denote laterality (right or left) in ICD-10-CM. However, the code set also includes options for specific types of fractures, increasing the importance of clear and accurate provider documentation.
Editor's note: With the increased specificity required for ICD-10-CM coding, coders need a solid foundation in anatomy and physiology. To help coders prepare for the upcoming transition, we will provide an occasional article about specific anatomical locations and body parts as part of a larger series for ICD-10-CM preparation. This month's column addresses the anatomy of the feet.
