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Course

Secondary Diagnosis Reporting on Outpatient Encounters and the 3Q2021 Coding Clinic Examples


Description

This course delves into the intricate world of reporting secondary diagnoses in outpatient and professional fee cases. Building upon the foundation laid in the prerequisite course, "Secondary Diagnosis Reporting on Outpatient Encounters," this program explores the nuances of the 3Q2021 Coding Clinic, specifically page 32, with illustrative examples. The course grapples with challenges posed by the coding advice provided, clarifying when and how to assign codes for chronic conditions and their clinical significance in outpatient settings. Additionally, it addresses coding for social determinants of health (SDOH) and offers guidance on navigating conflicts between the Coding Clinic advice and index/tabular directives.

** Note, there is a pre-requisite for the coder to take the Secondary Diagnosis Reporting on Outpatient Encounters course before taking this course.

Included Lessons:

  • Introduction
  • Third Quarter 2021 Coding Clinic Directive
  • SDOH CODING AND 3Q2021 CODING CLINIC
  • Index and Tabular Directives vs 3Q2021 Coding Clinic
  • Examples
  • Summary
CEUs available for the following credentials:

AAPC

COC, CPC, CPC-P, CANPC, CASCC, CCC, CCPC, CCVTC, CDEI, CDEO, CEDC, CEMC, CENTC, CFPC, CGIC, CGSC, CHONC, CIC, CIMC, COBGC, COPC, COSC, CPB, CPCD, CPCO, CPEDC, CPMA, CPMS, CPPM, CPRC, CRC, CRHC, CSFAC, CUC

AHIMA

CCA, CCS, CCS-P, RHIT, RHIA, CDIP, CHDA, CHPS

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Key Takeaways

  • Understanding of Coding Clinic Guidelines: Coders will gain a thorough comprehension of the specific guidelines outlined in the 3Q2021 Coding Clinic, particularly regarding the reporting of secondary diagnoses in outpatient settings.
  • Clinical Significance Evaluation: Coders will learn how to assess the clinical significance of secondary diagnoses based on provider documentation, ensuring accurate code assignment only for conditions that affect patient care and management during the encounter.
  • Handling Chronic Conditions: The course provides guidance on coding chronic conditions, emphasizing the importance of clear provider documentation and when to query for clarification to avoid coding errors.
  • Social Determinants of Health (SDOH): Coders will learn how to appropriately code SDOH-related conditions and understand that SDOH codes can be assigned from various parts of the medical record, even the patient's history or past medical history.
  • Conflict Resolution: The course equips coders with the knowledge to navigate conflicts between the Coding Clinic advice and index/tabular directives, emphasizing the importance of following official coding guidelines.
  • Real-world Examples: Through illustrative examples, coders will gain practical experience in applying the coding guidelines discussed in the course, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle similar scenarios in their coding practice.

Benefits of Taking this Course

  • Enhanced Understanding of Outpatient Coding Guidelines
  • Improved Accuracy
  • Increased Confidence
  • Career Advancement Potential

FAQs

When should I code secondary diagnoses for outpatient encounters?
Secondary diagnoses should be coded for outpatient encounters when the provider's documentation clearly indicates that the condition affected the care and management of the patient during that specific encounter. This means that the condition must have clinical significance for that particular visit. If there is no documentation of such clinical significance, it should not be coded.
What should I do when there is a conflict between the Coding Clinic advice and the index/tabular directives?

In cases of conflict between the Coding Clinic advice and index/tabular directives, it is generally advisable to prioritize the index and tabular directives. Follow the official coding guidelines provided in the index and tabular sections of ICD-10-CM. However, always remain updated with the latest advice and guidance, as coding practices may evolve over time.

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 comprehensive online education platform for medical coders. With a catalog of over 200 medical coding courses accepted by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a selection approved by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), HIAlearn caters to both beginners and experienced medical coders seeking to enhance their skills. The platform provides an array of training plans tailored to meet individual learning needs, from mastering challenging coding procedures to understanding broad conceptual frameworks within the coding world. Courses are available across various coding types including CPTE/M, ICD-10-CMICD-10-PCS, and are designed to cater to different coder levels and coding specialties such as inpatientoutpatientprofee, and CDI. Additionally, HIAlearn offers a Coding Updates bundle to ensure coders are up-to-date with the annual changes in ICD-10-CMICD-10-PCSCPT, and IPPS. Beyond individual learning, HIAlearn supports organizations with group discounts, promoting enhanced coding accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across teams. 

Disclaimer: This course is not available for individual sale. Purchase the Secondary Diagnosis Training Plan below and get access to 5 courses. 

Overview
CEUs Icon
AHIMA CEUs : 1
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AAPC CEUs : 1
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