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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a significant quarterly update to the ICD-10-PCS (Procedure Coding System). Effective April 1, 2026, hospitals must implement 80 new procedure codes for inpatient encounters. These additions reflect rapid advancements in cardiovascular scaffolding, biopharmaceuticals, and specialized delivery systems. As an expert medical coder, navigating these changes … Read more
Key Terms: Sleeve Lobectomy VATS (Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery) Lobectomy Lingulectomy Indications / Associated Pathology: Benign Tumor Emphysema Fungal Infection Lung Abscess Lung Cancer Tuberculosis Description: The right lung consists of three lobes: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The left lung has two lobes: Upper and Lower, as it shares space with the heart. The Upper … Read more
Indications / Associated Pathologies: Congenital Anomaly Neck Trauma Respiratory Failure Subcutaneous Emphysema Upper Airway Edema, Foreign Body, or Obstruction Description: Tracheostomy involves creating a stoma (surgical opening) in the neck to bypass the cervical trachea and/or oropharynx, allowing air to pass directly to the distal trachea for respiration. It may be performed on patients requiring … Read more
Key Terms: Decompressive Foraminectomy Foraminal Decompression Indications / Associated Pathologies: Degenerative Joint Disease Spinal Radiculopathy Spinal Myelopathy Spinal Stenosis Synovial Cyst Description: Spinal stenosis may result from degenerative osteoarthritis, osteophyte or bone spur formation, or ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Decompressive laminectomy involves removing the lamina and enlarging the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal … Read more
Requirement of The POA Indicators POA indicators is an alpha character assigned to the principal diagnosis code and any secondary diagnosis codes reported for each inpatient admission. POA indicators are distinct from diagnosis codes and are not part of ICD 10 CM codes. Yes, they are assigned and reported to diagnosis codes, but they are … Read more
Basics about Root Operation of ICD-10-PCS Root operations of ICD-10- PCS include total 31 root operations. Each root operation is aunique by its definition. ICD-10-PCS will be used in place of Volume 3 codes of ICD 9, so it is very essential to get familiar with root operation of ICD -10-PCS. We know there is … Read more
Introduction for ICD-10-PCS root operation Excision word is very familiar with all of us. Medical coders should be aware about what are the codes leads to excision. However, we are not here to learn the CPT codes of Excision, we are here to learn about the root operation Excision. Now, if you are aware of … Read more
Basics of Kcentra ICD 10 PCS Kcentra is a prescription medicine used to treat the symptoms of Vitamin K Antagonist Reversal. Kcentra may be used alone or with other medications. Kcentra belongs to a class of drugs called Blood Components; Hemostatics. It is not known if Kcentra is safe and effective in children. Its Generic … Read more
There are 1,495 proposed coding changes to ICD-10-CM diagnoses codes alone in FY2023. There are also some IPPS changes to note. As for ICD-10-PCS, there are not as many new codes, most significantly occlusion of prostate artery and knee joint replacement codes. Below are the updates in brief for medical coders. ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Changes Summary … Read more
CMS released the Official ICD-10-PCS Coding Guidelines for fiscal year 2022, which went into effect October 1st. The FY 2022 PCS guidelines include three guideline revisions in the Medical and Surgical section (B3.7, B4.1c, B4.8) and two guideline revisions from the New Technology section (E1.a, E1.b). Although key changes will be highlighted in this blog, … Read more