ICD-10 Coding Education Series (Part 2)

The ICD-10-CM Diagnostic Coding system is revised, to varying degrees, annually with an effective date of October 1. These codes are used to identify the diagnoses being treated while the resident is in the skilled nursing facility (SNF), as well as for assignment to a specific category for payment of the services provided in the SNF. The Assessment Coordinator is the individual responsible for assigning the diagnostic code from the ICD-10-cm Manual. Unfortunately, most Assessment Coordinators have not received training in the conventions and guidelines which direct how the codes are to be assigned. This can lead to incorrect/inappropriate statistical information gathered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and assignment to the incorrect payment category. Providing education to the related concepts will improve the accuracy of the code assignment. As there are specific guidelines related to each system, e.g. infection or endocrine, the specific guidelines providence guidance for assigning the correct code for a system related diagnosis will be covered.