Supporting Good Coding Practices
Select each tab below for more information on good coding practices. Select each topic within the tabs for definitions of the terms.
By tracking and comparing key performance indicators, you can find and manage issues with productivity, payment, claims submission, and other processes. Track these key performance indicators to assess your progress:
The number of records coders return to clinicians asking for more documentation to support
proper code choice
The number of incomplete or missing ICD-10 diagnosis codes on claims
The number of orders and referrals that include ICD-10 codes
The percentage of claims accepted into the payer’s adjudications system that get denied
The number of requests from payers for additional information needed to process claims
The volume and frequency of unspecified code use
You can troubleshoot problem areas by:
Gather feedback and questions from staff and share insights throughout your organization.
Ask which ICD-10 codes cause the most difficulty and create training around those issues.
Look for documentation issues that result from lack of clinician training on ICD-10 coding
concepts and guidelines. Understanding your organization’s processes for selecting diagnosis
codes and applying coding guidelines can help find the source of issues.
Verify that all systems have implemented available upgrades. Routinely check for technical
problems with
your systems. Be sure systems are set to generate only ICD-10 codes and qualifiers for
your services on or after October 1, 2015.
Keep your systems and coding resources up to date.
Review the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting regularly.