COVID-19 or Coronavirus Diagnosis Coding
Description
COVID-19 or Coronavirus Diagnosis Coding is an online, self-paced course for inpatient, outpatient, and professional fee coders who assign ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes related to COVID-19. This course reviews the clinical presentation of COVID-19, including signs, symptoms, and treatment considerations, and explains how diagnosis coding guidance evolved after April one, two thousand twenty. Coders will learn how to apply current ICD-10-CM guidelines across common scenarios, including acute infection, post-COVID conditions, and vaccine-related encounters. The course includes 1 AHIMA CEU and helps coders accurately and confidently code COVID-19 cases across care settings.
Included Lessons:
- Introduction
- Signs, Symptoms and Treatments of COVID-19
- A Word About Code B97.29 VS U07.1
- Coding for Testing After Exposure
- COVID-19 With Conditions
- DRG Assignment U07.1
- Subsequent Treatment of Diagnosis After Covid-19 Has Itself Resolved (Post COVID Condition)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects/Adverse Side Effects
- COVID-19 Vaccine Status
- AHA FAQ Examples
- Laboratory Tests and Telehealth
- Updated Official Guidelines for COVID Coding
- Summary
Key Takeaways
Overall, completing this course equips medical coders with the knowledge and skills necessary to accurately code and navigate the complexities of COVID-19-related cases in the healthcare industry. Some key takeaways include:
- In-depth Understanding of COVID-19: They will have a thorough comprehension of COVID-19, including its origins, modes of transmission, and its impact on the human respiratory system.
- Updated Coding Guidelines: Coders will be well-versed in the latest coding guidelines related to COVID-19, including the transition from code B97.29 to U07.1 after April 1, 2020, and the importance of sequencing codes correctly.
- Varied Coding Scenarios: The course covers a range of coding scenarios, ensuring coders are prepared to handle different situations, such as coding for symptoms, testing after exposure, and post-COVID conditions.
- Importance of Clinical Validation: Coders will understand the significance of clinically validating each condition and the importance of querying physicians when needed for accurate coding.
- Treatment and Medication Knowledge: They will gain insights into the treatment options available for COVID-19, including antiviral drugs and other therapies, as well as the evolving landscape of COVID-19 medications.
- Vaccine Coding: Coders will be proficient in coding for COVID-19 vaccine-related scenarios, including adverse effects, vaccine status, and underimmunization statuses.
- Resource Utilization: They will know where to find up-to-date resources, such as AHA FAQs and official coding guidelines, to stay current in the field.
- Telehealth and Laboratory Coding: The course provides insights into coding for telehealth visits and laboratory tests related to COVID-19, keeping coders prepared for the changing healthcare landscape.
- MS-DRG Assignments: Coders will understand the MS-DRG assignments associated with COVID-19, allowing them to accurately assign codes for hospital reimbursement purposes.
Benefits of Taking this Course
- Enhanced Expertise
- Specialized Knowledge in COVID-19 Diagnosis Coding
- Career Advancement
- Increased Efficiency and Accuracy
FAQs
What will I learn about accurately coding COVID-19 in ICD-10-CM?
This course explains how to correctly assign ICD-10-CM codes for COVID-19, including when to use the COVID-19 diagnosis code and how it is reported across different clinical scenarios. You’ll learn how provider documentation, testing results, and confirmed diagnoses drive accurate code selection and compliant reporting.
How does the course help coders apply sequencing rules for COVID-19 and related conditions?
The course reviews ICD-10-CM sequencing guidance for COVID-19 when it occurs with related conditions such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis, or other complications. You’ll learn how to determine the principal diagnosis and apply additional codes appropriately based on official guidelines.
Will this course improve my ability to interpret documentation and avoid common COVID-19 coding errors?
Yes. The course highlights common documentation challenges and coding mistakes related to COVID-19, including suspected versus confirmed cases and post-COVID conditions. You’ll learn how to recognize terminology that supports reportable diagnoses and when clarification may be needed to ensure accurate and compliant coding.
About Our Medical Coding Courses
HIAlearn, powered by Health Information Associates (HIA)—a leader in medical coding and auditing for more than three decades—offers a flexible, online education platform designed for today’s coders. With a growing catalog of AHIMA and AAPC-approved coding courses, HIAlearn supports both beginners and experienced coders looking to build confidence, accuracy, and CEU credits.
Courses are available across various coding types including CPT, E/M, ICD-10-CM, and ICD-10-PCS, and are designed for multiple specialties including inpatient, outpatient, profee, and CDI.
To stay up to date, coders can explore our Coding Updates hub for the latest ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and IPPS changes. HIAlearn also supports organizations with group discounts and scalable team access, promoting accuracy, compliance, and continuous professional development across departments.
Overview
Code Type
Keep learning with more medical coding courses from HIAlearn.
Respiratory Failure Diagnosis Coding
Vital for accurately coding COVID‑19 patients who develop acute or chronic respiratory failure during hospitalization.
Sepsis Coding and Sequencing Guidelines
Essential for coding sepsis due to secondary bacterial infection in COVID‑19 cases and proper sequencing of sepsis and coronavirus diagnoses.
Specificity Coding in ICD‑10‑CM
Reinforces the importance of selecting the most specific COVID‑19 and related pneumonia codes, which is critical for clinical precision and reporting.
