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UASI Solutions

The US ICD-11 Implementation

By Mary Stanfill / October 3, 2019

When will ICD-11 be implemented for morbidity reporting in the US? That’s a question everyone wants the answer to, but the answer is not yet known and there is presently too much uncertainty to accurately predict an implementation date. The World Health Assembly adopted ICD-11 in May 2019. Anticipating that, the HHS Secretary tasked the… Read More »The US ICD-11 Implementation

UASI Training for FY2020 ICD-10-PCS Updates

By Staff / September 19, 2019

The annual updates to the ICD-10 and MS-DRG systems have been finalized and will be effective October 1. The ICD-10 and MS-DRG updates reflect the final Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule for the fiscal year 2020. You can see the details on IPPS here. Other highlights of the ICD-10-PCS changes include: 734 new codes,… Read More »UASI Training for FY2020 ICD-10-PCS Updates

UASI Solutions

Ten Tips for Writing Effective Appeal Letters

By Staff / September 18, 2019

1. Review every denial to determine the validity of an appeal. If the denial is valid, do not appeal. However, appeal every case where there is documentation to support original coding. 2. Determine the nature of the denial (e.g. clinical validation and/or coding issue) and seek the relevant clinical and/or coding expertise to write the… Read More »Ten Tips for Writing Effective Appeal Letters

UASI Solutions

AHIMA 2019 Recap

By Sarah Kriegshauser / September 18, 2019

AHIMA 2019 is the HIM industry’s premier conference and this year was no exception. The entire UASI team enjoyed the opportunity to connect with clients, friends, and colleagues and compare notes in Chicago. In case you missed the presentations from UASI thought leaders, you can download them below. We’d love to hear your thoughts on… Read More »AHIMA 2019 Recap

UASI Training for FY2020 ICD-10-CM Updates

By Staff / September 17, 2019

The annual updates to the ICD-10 and MS-DRG systems have been finalized and will be effective October 1. The ICD-10 and MS-DRG updates reflect the final Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) rule for fiscal year 2020. You can see the details on IPPS here. Other highlights of the ICD-10-CM changes, include: There are 273… Read More »UASI Training for FY2020 ICD-10-CM Updates

Medical Coding

Monthly CDI Scenario Discussion – September 2019

By Staci Josten / September 5, 2019

Topic:  Altered Mental Status, Dementia with Encephalopathy Scenario: 85 y/o female admitted with Sepsis secondary to UTI and altered mental status. History of dementia. Decreased responsiveness noted by patient’s sister who reports this is significantly different than her usual state. H/P: “Patient is disoriented, confused with decreased responsiveness, hard to arouse. The degree at onset… Read More »Monthly CDI Scenario Discussion – September 2019

Coding Tip of the Month – August 2019

By Natalie Sartori / September 3, 2019

Deep Tissue Injury The ICD-10-CM updates effective October 1, 2019 will contain 273 new codes. One notable addition is the expansion of category L89 Pressure ulcer to include specific codes for Deep Tissue Pressure Injury. Prior to this change, DTPI was coded as an unstageable pressure injury. As discussed in ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – August 2019

Monthly CDI Scenario Discussion – August 2019

By Matt Hare / August 1, 2019

Topic: Cardiac Arrest – the Underlying Condition Scenario: 19 y/o female brought to ED by ambulance accompanied by boyfriend The patient is found on presentation to the ED to be nonverbal, does not open eyes and has no motor responses Boyfriend reports to ED physician that patient ingested a large amount of heroin and was… Read More »Monthly CDI Scenario Discussion – August 2019

Coding Tip of the Month – July 2019

By Natalie Sartori / July 25, 2019

Release of a Coronary Artery With a myocardial bridge, part of a coronary artery dips into and underneath the heart muscle and then comes back out again. For the most part, a myocardial bridge is harmless. Patients with a myocardial bridge have it from birth, and most never know they have the condition. However, some… Read More »Coding Tip of the Month – July 2019

Monthly CDI Discussion – Complex Pneumonia

By Matt Hare / July 2, 2019

Topic: Complex Pneumonia Scenario: 82 yr. old female admitted from her skilled nursing facility with complaints of chest pain, SOB and cough with yellow mucus. Hx of COPD, on continuous O2 at 2L with recent hospital discharge for exacerbation, CVA with dysphagia. Assessment, patient noted with wheezing, rhonchi with mild dyspnea. VS: temp 99.2, HR… Read More »Monthly CDI Discussion – Complex Pneumonia