AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2019 Issue 4; In this Issue
CHANGES TO THE ICD-10-CM OFFICIAL GUIDELINES FOR CODING AND REPORTING
A summary of the modifications to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting are included below. The complete guidelines may be downloaded by visiting http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm The modifications are published below using the following format: Narrative changes appear in bold text (e.g., severe sepsis). Items underlined were moved within the guidelines since October 1, 2019 (e.g., severe sepsis). Deletions are shown as strikeouts (e.g., severe sepsis). Please note the term “physician” has been revised to “provider” in the following sections of the Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting: Section I. Conventions...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article reviews modifications to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting and is aimed at medical coders, auditors, compliance staff, and clinicians who support diagnosis coding. It covers revisions across convention guidance, chapter-specific instructions, principal and additional diagnosis rules, and outpatient reporting guidance, with attention to updated terminology, sequencing topics, uncertain diagnoses, and selected chapter-focused changes.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps readers understand how official ICD-10-CM guidance has been revised so they can stay aligned with current coding policy, documentation expectations, and reporting conventions across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Article Sections
-
Summary of guideline modifications
Overview of the types of edits included in the guideline update and how changes are presented in the article. Also notes terminology revisions used throughout the affected sections.
-
Section I. Conventions, general coding guidelines and chapter specific guidelines
Broad guideline changes affecting ICD-10-CM conventions and several chapter-specific instructions. Includes infectious disease, neoplasm, circulatory, skin, pregnancy, congenital condition, injury, and factors influencing health status topics.
-
Section II. Selection of Principal Diagnosis
Updates related to principal diagnosis selection, including guidance on uncertain diagnoses in the inpatient setting.
-
Section III. Reporting Additional Diagnoses
Guidance affecting reporting of additional diagnoses, including how uncertain diagnoses are addressed in this section.
-
Section IV. Diagnostic Coding and Reporting Guidelines for Outpatient Services
Outpatient reporting guidance covering first-listed diagnosis selection and uncertain diagnosis language used in ambulatory encounters.
What You Will Learn
- How the article organizes selected ICD-10-CM guideline changes
- Which guideline areas were revised across chapters and reporting sections
- What broad topics are addressed in inpatient and outpatient diagnosis coding guidance
- How the update reflects terminology and documentation-related changes
- Which chapter areas received clarification or updated direction
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Compliance professionals
- Clinical documentation staff
- Revenue cycle teams
- Physicians and other providers supporting coding documentation
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com