Like last year's relases, the 2018 ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines continued to adjust the meaning of linking language, such as "with."
This article was originally published on August 17, 2017, on the Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists.
Coming swiftly on the heels of the fiscal year (FY) 2018 IPPS final rule release, the 2018 ICD-10-CM/PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting were released on Thursday, August 10. As with the final rule, these Guidelines are in effect October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018.
When reviewing the new Guidelines, note the following designations within the release:
- Bolded text indicates narrative changes
- Underlined items have been moved within the Guidelines since the FY 2017 version
- Italics indicate revisions to headings
CDI professionals should review convention 15, covering the use of the term “with.” The convention now specifies that, when another existing Guideline specifically requires a documented linkage between two conditions, the word “with” does not suffice. As an example, the guidelines site the sepsis guidelines for “acute organ dysfunction that is not clearly associated with sepsis.”
Though the convention 15 update certainly carries implications for CDI, CDI professionals should review the entire release and familiarize themselves with the changes to ensure their querying and reviews are held to the most current standards.
Editor’s note: To review the full release, click here. To read about the FY 2018 IPPS final rule release, click here.
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