ICD-10Getting There…..

Otolaryngology

What Physicians Need To Know

• Claims for ambulatory and physician services provided on or after 10/1/2015 must use ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.

• Hospital inpatient claims for discharges occurring on or after 10/1/2015 must use ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes.

• CPT Codes will continue to be used for physician inpatient and outpatient services and for hospital outpatient procedures.

• ICD-10-PCS – a NEW procedure coding classification system, must be used to code all inpatient procedures on Facility Claims for discharges on or after 10/1/15.

• ICD-9-CM codes must continue to be used for all dates of services on or before 9/30/2015.

• Further delays are not likely.

ICD-9 vs ICD-10 Diagnosis Codes

ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Codes ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes

3 to 5 digits 7 digits

Alpha “E” & “V” – 1st Character Alpha or numeric for any character

No place holder characters Include place holder characters (“x”)

Terminology Similar

Index and Tabular Structure Similar

Coding Guidelines Somewhat similar

Approximately 14,000 codes Approximately 69,000 codes

Severity parameters limited Extensive severity parameters

Does not include laterality Common definition of laterality

Combination codes limited Combination codes common

Number of Codes by Clinical Area

Clinical Area ICD-9 Codes ICD-10 Codes

Fractures 747 17,099

Poisoning and Toxic Effects 244 4,662

Pregnancy Related Conditions 1,104 2,155

Brain Injury 292 574

Diabetes 69 239

Migraine 40 44

Bleeding Disorders 26 29

Mood Related Disorders 78 71

Hypertensive Disease 33 14

End Stage Renal Disease 11 5

Chronic Respiratory Failure 7 4

Right vs. left

accounts for nearly ½

the increase in the #

of codes.

The Importance of Good Documentation

• The role of the provider is to accurately and specifically document the nature of the patient’s condition and treatment.

• The role of the Clinical Documentation Specialist is to query the provider for clarification, ensuring the documentation accurately reflects the severity of illness and risk of mortality.

• The role of the coder is to ensure that coding is consistent with the documentation.

• Good documentation….• Supports proper payment and reduces denials• Assures accurate measures of quality and efficiency• Captures the level of risk and severity• Supports clinical research• Enhances communication with hospital and other providers• It’s just good care!

Inadequate vs. Adequate Documentation Example 1: Hearing Loss

Inadequate Documentation Required ICD-10 Documentation

Hearing loss.

Currently receiving high doses of IV antibiotics.

Bilat hearing loss.

Currently receiving high doses of IV Gentamicin. Hearing loss secondary to Gentamicin.

Needed improvements:

Type, laterality, and causal

agent(s).

Inadequate vs. Adequate Documentation Example 2: Otitis Media

Inadequate Documentation Required ICD-10 Documentation

2 y.o. male, unilateral otitis media with ruptured tympanic membrane.

2 y.o. male, acute serous otitis media (L) ear with spontaneous 30% central tympanic rupture.

Needed improvements:

Type, laterality, and

complicating factor(s).

Inadequate Documentation Required ICD-10 Documentation

DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSION:

1. Hyperthyroidism.

2. Goiter

DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSION:

1. Hyperthyroidism with thyrotoxic crisis.

2. Multinodular goiter

Inadequate vs. Adequate Documentation Example 3: Hyperthyroidism

Needed improvements:

Goiter type and presence or

absence of thyrotoxic crisis

or storm.

Inadequate Documentation Required ICD-10 Documentation

IMPRESSION:

1. Adenotonsillitis2. Dysphagia3. Laryngitis4. Obesity

IMPRESSION:

1. Chronic adenotonsillitis with adenotonsillary hypertrophy.

2. Oropharyngeal dysphagia3. Acute obstructive laryngitis.4. Morbid obesity with alveolar

hypoventilation.

Inadequate vs. Adequate Documentation Example 4: Adenotonsillitis

Needed improvements:

Acuity, phase, type, presence

of hypertrophy, and

underlying condition(s).

Key Requirements for Documentation

• Specify laterality (e.g., right, left, bilateral).

• State acute, subacute, chronic, and recurrent as applicable.

• Indicate when there are differences in hearing restrictions in each ear (e.g., conductive hearing loss in the right ear with unrestricted hearing loss in left ear).

• Document any underlying disease (e.g., otitis media secondary to maxillary sinusitis).

• List the circumstance of injury, medical misadventure, or other mishap, (e.g., accidental perforation of the eardrum with a cotton swab).

• List any tobacco use or exposure to tobacco smoke.

With ICD-10, the need for specific and accurate documentation is increased significantly.

Using Sign/Symptom and Unspecified Codes

• Sign/symptom and “unspecified” codes have acceptable, even necessary, uses.

• If a definitive diagnosis has not been established by the end of the encounter, it is appropriate to report codes for signs and/or symptoms in lieu of a definitive diagnosis.

• When sufficient clinical information is not known or available about a particular health condition, it is acceptable to report the appropriate “unspecified” code.

• It is inappropriate to select a SPECIFIC code that is not supported by the medical record documentation.

Training for Physicians

Dates Method Content

Nov 2014 – Jan 2015 Department Meetings

Introduction/Overview

Jan 2015 – Mar 2015 Web-based OverviewService Specific DocumentationFuture Order EntryDiagnosis Assistant

Mar 2015 – Jun 2015 Classroom Documenting for ICD10 using the Electronic Health Record

Jun 2015 – Sep 2015 Web-based OverviewDocumenting Operative and Procedure Notes for ICD-10-PCS

Future Orders & Diagnosis Assistant

Demonstration