HIM Briefings

With the compliance date for ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation finally set in stone, all that's left to do is plan, plan, and execute plans. To help you, we asked Deborah Grider, CPC, CPC-I, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPMA, CEMC, COBGC, CPCD, CCS-P, CDIP, senior manager at Blue and Company in Indianapolis, an industry expert on ICD-10, for preparation tips and action steps for ICD-10 implementation.

Our experts answer your HIPAA questions related to sheriff requests for PHI, ­encrypted email, and holiday cards.

The monetary reward offered through the second stage of the Medicare and Medicaid incentive program shouldn't be the only reason HIM professionals embrace the concept of being "meaningful users" of certified EHR technology (CEHRT).

HHS will delay implementation of ICD-10 by one year, from October 1, 2013, to October 1, 2014.

In this month's issue, we explore a current hot topic in the HIM world.

Coding accuracy in postoperative complications ­impacts a facility's Medicare claims profile, error rate, and physician profiles on hospital watchdog websites that monitor performance.

Coders need to code. This much you know. But with the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS occurring perhaps as soon as October 1, 2014, they'll need to know a bit more than just raw coding. Now is a good time to review and update current ­coding descriptions, procedures, and job titles to streamline and reengineer your coding team's work flow, says Luisa DiIeso, RHIA, MS, CCS.

Editor's note: The following scenario is provided by Laurie A. Rinehart-­Thompson, JD, RHIA, CHP, assistant professor of clinical allied ­medicine in the School of Allied Medical Professions at Ohio State ­University in Columbus. Present the scenario portion to your HIM staff to see how they would handle the issue.