News
2026 IPPS proposed rule: Seven key takeaways for CDI, coding professionals
The FY 2026 IPPS proposed rule is out… what does it contain? With the change in administration I wondered if we wouldn’t see a delay or even suspension of new IPPS rules. That wasn’t the case. The rule was published Friday, April 11. Overall, no huge changes or surprises. I wouldn’t call the 2026 IPPS…
Read MoreSocial Determinants of Health (SDOH), integral to preventive medicine and cost reduction, in jeopardy under new CMS administration
By Brian Murphy Health is far more than just biology, pathophysiology, or medical facts about a patient. Non-medical factors influence health outcomes, including the conditions into which people are born and live. Think about housing instability, lack of access to care, poor food security, and (un)employment. Today we call these social determinants of health (SDOH).…
Read MoreNorwood Inpatient CDI Boot Camp approved for AHIMA, ACDIS CEUs
Norwood is pleased to announce its new Inpatient CDI Boot Camp has been approved for 18 CEUs by AHIMA* and ACDIS ** (see full details below). This three-day in-person class offers client partners in-depth training on critical CDI concepts that improve the financial and quality health of their organization, including opportunities by Major Diagnostic Category,…
Read MoreFunctional quadriplegia still a documentation, coding headache for most healthcare organizations
By Brian Murphy Functional quadriplegia (ICD-10-CM code R53.2) was a big deal back in my ACDIS days, for a few reasons: 1). It wasn’t a term physicians typically used/documented, even though it’s a common condition among certain populations. Physicians and other caregivers are more apt to use “bedbound, total care” or other such terms. 2)…
Read MoreCould AI increase clinician burnout? The answer is yes… and the solution is human beings
By Brian Murphy Could artificial intelligence (AI) increase physician burdens—and burnout? This headline from Healthcare Dive (see link to full article in the comments) is provocative … but might not be clickbait. This is admittedly a complex issue with a lot of “it depends.” It depends on what product you’re using. It depends on what…
Read MorePrepare for April 1 OCG changes to COVID-19, obesity, and sepsis
By Brian Murphy An update to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (OCG) is out. These changes take effect April 1. I’ve provided the link below. The following three changes are of particular importance to CDI and coding professionals. I recommend reviewing the entire document which won’t take long; as a reminder, the…
Read MoreRigorous patient scheduling critical to success in a risk adjustment environment
By Jason Jobes, SVP, Solutions Best Practice Tip: On January 1st of every year identify what percentage of your patients’ risk-based contracts have a scheduled PCP appointment. As full implementation of V28 of CMS-HCCs looms larger, I want to share a best practice I discuss with our partners. What percent of your patients have their…
Read MoreWhat responsibilities does a CDI specialist or IP coder possess in an AI-enabled environment? A look at some pros and cons
By Brian Murphy What does it mean to work as a clinical documentation integrity (CDI) or inpatient coder in a high-tech, AI-enabled environment? I got a glimpse of the future (for some, the present) this week while attending the ACDIS Virtual Symposium. And jotted down a few pros/cons as I see them, from the perspective…
Read MoreWant to be a better CDI or coding professional? You must read the chart
By Brian Murphy You’ve got to read. Whether it’s a blog post, a book, or in the case of the professions I serve, the patient’s chart. Reading results in comprehension and eventually, understanding. It takes time, but it’s time well-spent. I believe very strongly in this, which is why in my ACDIS…
Read MoreUnitedHealth’s billing practices draw DOJ investigation, Wall Street Journal coverage
By Jason Jobes, SVP, Solutions DOJ ALERT: The Wall Street Journal is reporting that UHC is under investigation for Medicare Advantage (MA) billing practices. Why, and what should you know? Thanks for reading Mid-Revenue Cycle Minute. Don’t forget to follow me on LinkedIn where I share content like this regularly. The WSJ…
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