AHIMA CDIP Dumps

Combination codes are used to classify two diagnoses, a diagnosis with a manifestation, or a diagnosis with an associated complication. A complication is a condition that arises during the hospital stay that prolongs the length of stay by at least one day in approximately 75 percent of cases1. Complications may affect payment and severity of illness and risk of mortality classifications. Examples of combination codes that include a diagnosis with an associated complication are:

• I50.23 Acute on chronic systolic (congestive) heart failure
• K57.21 Diverticulitis of large intestine with perforation and abscess with bleeding
• O34.211 Maternal care for incompetent cervix with cerclage, first trimester

A diagnosis that is an integral part of a disease process is not a valid option for combination codes, because it does not represent a separate or additional condition that needs to be coded. For example, chest pain is an integral part of acute myocardial infarction and does not require a separate code.

A diagnosis with an associated procedure is not a valid option for combination codes, because procedures are coded separately from diagnoses using ICD-10-PCS codes. For example, appendicitis with appendectomy is not a combination code, but rather two codes: one for the diagnosis (K35.80 Acute appendicitis without perforation or gangrene) and one for the procedure (0DTJ4ZZ Resection of appendix, percutaneous endoscopic approach).

A diagnosis with a sequelae or late effect is not a valid option for combination codes, because sequelae or late effects are coded separately from the original condition using the appropriate code from category B90-B94 Sequelae of infectious and parasitic diseases or category I69 Sequelae of cerebrovascular disease, followed by the code for the specific condition2. For example, hemiplegia following cerebral infarction is not a combination code, but rather two codes: one for the sequelae (I69.351 Hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction affecting right dominant side) and one for the original condition (I63.9 Cerebral infarction, unspecified).

References:

• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide, 2021 Edition. AHIMA Press. ISBN: 9781584268530
• ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2022
• Identifying ICD-10 Combination Codes - Outsource Strategies International

The most appropriate action in this case is to query the provider to document the etiology of pneumonia, which is pseudomonas bacteria. This is because the etiology of pneumonia affects the coding and classification of the condition, as well as the severity of illness, risk of mortality, and reimbursement. According to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, pneumonia should be coded by type whenever possible, and if the type of pneumonia is not documented, then the default code is J18.9, Pneumonia, unspecified organism 2. However, if the type of pneumonia is documented, then a more specific code can be assigned, such as J15.1, Pneumonia due to Pseudomonas 3. Therefore, querying the provider to document the etiology of pneumonia will improve the accuracy and completeness of the documentation and coding, and reflect the true clinical picture of the patient.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 139 4 2: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2021, Section I.C.9.a 3: ICD-10-CM Code J15.1 - Pneumonia due to Pseudomonas

Engaging the CDI physician advisor/champion in an effort to avoid future denials is a strategy that impacts the goal of improving documentation integrity by leveraging the influence and expertise of a physician leader who can educate, mentor, and advocate for other physicians on documentation best practices. The CDI physician advisor/champion can act as a liaison between the CDI team and the medical staff, provide feedback and guidance on complex or challenging cases, resolve conflicts or discrepancies in documentation, and promote a culture of collaboration and quality improvement. Physicians are more likely to learn and adopt documentation integrity practices from their peers who understand their clinical perspective and challenges, rather than from non-physician CDI staff or managers.

A. The CDI manager will exclusively provide education. This is incorrect because engaging the CDI physician advisor/champion implies that the CDI manager will not be the sole source of education, but rather will partner with the physician leader to deliver effective and tailored education to the medical staff.

C. Physicians can manage the documentation integrity process. This is incorrect because engaging the CDI physician advisor/champion does not mean that physicians will take over the responsibility of managing the documentation integrity process, which involves multiple stakeholders, such as CDI specialists, coders, quality analysts, and auditors. Rather, physicians will be more involved and supportive of the documentation integrity process as a result of the education and mentorship provided by the CDI physician advisor/champion.

D. Clinicians will not require documentation integrity education. This is incorrect because engaging the CDI physician advisor/champion does not eliminate the need for documentation integrity education for clinicians, but rather enhances and facilitates it by using a peer-to-peer approach that can increase awareness, engagement, and compliance among physicians.

References:

• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide, 2021 Edition. AHIMA Press. ISBN: 9781584268530
• Q&A: Defining roles for physician advisor/champion | ACDIS
• Q&A: The Role of the Physician Advisor in CDI | ACDIS
• The Role of a Physician Advisor - UASI Solutions
• PA/NP in Physician Champion / Advisor Role — ACDIS Forums

Inconsistent clinically relevant queries may make physicians lose respect for CDI efforts and disengage because they may perceive them as irrelevant, redundant, or contradictory. Clinically relevant queries are those that affect the quality of care, patient safety, severity of illness, risk of mortality, or reimbursement. Inconsistent queries may result from lack of standardization, conflicting guidelines, poor communication, or lack of clinical validation. To avoid inconsistency, CDI practitioners should follow best practices such as using evidence-based criteria, adhering to query policies and procedures, collaborating with coding and quality staff, and seeking feedback from physicians and physician advisors 2.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 136 3 2: Proactive CDI: Tackling the Problem of Physician Engagement 4

According to the AHIMA CDIP Exam Preparation Guide, a modifier is a two-digit numeric or alphanumeric code that may be used in CPT and/or HCPCS codes to indicate that a service or procedure has been altered by some specific circumstance, but not changed in its definition or code1. One of the reasons to use a modifier is to indicate that a service or procedure was increased or reduced in comparison to the usual service or procedure2. For example, modifier 22 can be used to report increased procedural services that require substantially greater time, effort, or complexity than the typical service3. The other options are not correct because they do not reflect the purpose of using modifiers. A service or procedure performed in its entirety does not need a modifier, as it is assumed to be the standard service or procedure. A service or procedure resulting in expected outcomes does not affect the coding or reimbursement of the service or procedure. A service or procedure performed by one provider may need a modifier depending on the type of provider, the place of service, and the payer rules, but it is not a general reason to use a modifier. References:

• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide - AHIMA
• Modifiers: A Guide for Health Care Professionals - CMS
• CPT® Modifiers: 22 Increased Procedural Services | AAPC

Tracking denials within the clinical documentation integrity program is important to identify documentation improvement opportunities and educate as necessary because it helps to analyze the root causes of denials, improve the quality and specificity of clinical documentation, and reduce the risk of future denials. Denials can also provide feedback on the effectiveness of the CDI program and the areas that need more attention or intervention. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

• CDIP Exam Content Outline1
• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide2

 According to the Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update) - AHIMA1, clinical validation is a process by which documentation is evaluated to ensure that the medical record demonstrates enough clinical support for all documented diagnoses as mandated by the False Claims Act. If there is a lack of clinical support for sepsis or UTI within the documentation, a clinical validation query should be sent. Query choices should list sepsis or UTI as ruled out versus ruled in (because the physician is documenting sepsis or UTI), but the query choice should also ask the provider to provide additional clinical support within the medical record. Additional query choices that are supported by clinical indicators listed on the query should also be listed as appropriate1.

In this case, the patient was admitted with a fever, cough, and leukocytosis, which are signs and symptoms of sepsis or UTI. However, three days later, the blood and urine cultures are negative, the patient has been afebrile since admission, and the white blood count is returning to normal, which are indicators that sepsis or UTI may not be present or resolved. Therefore, there is a discrepancy between the documented diagnoses of sepsis and UTI and the clinical evidence in the record. A clinical validation query should be sent to clarify if sepsis and UTI are still valid diagnoses or if they have been ruled out after study. The query should also request additional documentation of any other clinical indicators that support the diagnosis of sepsis or UTI, such as vital signs, physical exam findings, inflammatory markers, imaging results, etc1.

References:

• Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update) - AHIMA1

The clinical documentation integrity practitioner (CDIP) should interact with the physician to clarify whether or not the pneumonia is a hospital-acquired condition (HAC) by asking the physician to indicate if the pneumonia was present on admission (POA) based on the initial chest x-ray. This is because the POA status of a condition affects its coding, reporting, and reimbursement, and it is the responsibility of the physician to document the POA status of all diagnoses. The CDIP should not assume that the pneumonia developed after admission based on the timing of symptoms or treatment, as this may not reflect the true clinical picture. The CDIP should also not ask the physician about the causal relationship between the acute kidney injury and the pneumonia, as this is not relevant to the POA status. The CDIP should also not avoid querying the physician based on the presence of another MCC, as this may compromise the accuracy and completeness of documentation. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

• CDIP Exam Content Outline
• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide
• Present on Admission Reporting Guidelines

A transbronchial biopsy is a procedure that involves obtaining tissue samples from the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs through a bronchoscope. A pathology report documenting alveolar tissue is a clinical documentation element that supports a transbronchial biopsy, as it confirms the source and nature of the tissue sample.

References: AHIMA. “CDIP Exam Preparation.” AHIMA Press, Chicago, IL, 2017: 55-56.

 A policy and procedure that should be developed to ensure compliant practice for CDIPs who are altering health records is professional ethical standards. Professional ethical standards are the principles and values that guide the conduct and decision-making of CDIPs in their role of ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of clinical documentation and coded data. According to the AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding1 and the ACDIS Code of Ethics2, CDIPs should not alter health records without the consent or direction of the provider, as this may compromise the quality and validity of the documentation and coding, and may violate legal and regulatory requirements. CDIPs should also respect the confidentiality and security of health records, and report any unethical or fraudulent practices to the appropriate authority.

References:

• CDIP® Exam Content Outline (https://www.ahima.org/media/1z0x0x1a/cdip-exam-content-outline.pdf)
• AHIMA Standards of Ethical Coding1
• ACDIS Code of Ethics2

The best place for the provider to document a query response is the next progress note and the problem list because this ensures that the query response is timely, consistent, and integrated into the health record. According to the AHIMA/ACDIS query practice brief1, the provider should document the query response in the health record as soon as possible after receiving the query, preferably in the next progress note. The provider should also update the problem list to reflect any new or revised diagnoses resulting from the query response. This helps to maintain an accurate and comprehensive list of the patient’s current and chronic conditions, which can facilitate continuity of care, quality reporting, and reimbursement. Documenting the query response in an addendum to the history and physical or only on the query form is not sufficient, as it may not capture the current status of the patient or be easily accessible to other providers or coders.

References:

• CDIP® Exam Content Outline (https://www.ahima.org/media/1z0x0x1a/cdip-exam-content-outline.pdf)
• Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice—2022 Update1

Reviewing and analyzing physician query content on a regular basis assists in identifying gaps in skills and knowledge of the clinical documentation integrity practitioners (CDIPs) and the providers. By evaluating the quality, accuracy, appropriateness, and effectiveness of the queries, the CDIPs can identify areas of improvement, education, and feedback for themselves and the providers. Reviewing and analyzing physician query content can also help to ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices, as well as to monitor query outcomes and trends2 References: 1: 2:

A query should be generated when the documentation is conflicting, meaning that there is contradictory or inconsistent information in the medical record that may affect the accuracy of coding, quality reporting, or reimbursement. For example, if the documentation in the progress notes differs from the documentation in the discharge summary, or if different providers document different diagnoses or procedures for the same patient, a query may be needed to resolve the discrepancy and obtain clarification from the source of the documentation. A query should not be generated when the documentation is legible, consistent, or complete, as these are desirable characteristics of documentation that do not require further clarification or verification.

References:

• CDIP® Exam Content Outline (https://www.ahima.org/media/1z0x0x1a/cdip-exam-content-outline.pdf)
• Accurate Documentation is Essential – Knowing When to Query your Providers1

When there are comparative contrasting diagnoses supported by clinical criteria, the correct action is to code both diagnoses, as long as they are not mutually exclusive. Comparative contrasting diagnoses are those that are considered as possible alternatives or differentials for the patient’s condition, such as pneumonia versus bronchitis, or appendicitis versus diverticulitis. Coding both diagnoses will capture the clinical uncertainty and complexity of the case, and will allow for accurate reporting and reimbursement. References: : :

A post-discharge query is needed to obtain a more specific principal diagnosis with the highest level of severity of illness (SOI) and risk of mortality (ROM) for this patient. The discharge diagnosis of health care associated pneumonia (HCAP) is not specific enough to capture the etiology, site, and severity of the pneumonia. Based on the clinical indicators in the case scenario, such as the history of aspiration, the chest x-ray findings, the elevated white blood count, the fever, and the antibiotic treatment, a more specific diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia would be appropriate. Aspiration pneumonia is a type of pneumonia that occurs when foreign material, such as food or vomit, is inhaled into the lungs, causing inflammation and infection. Aspiration pneumonia has a higher SOI and ROM than HCAP because it is associated with more complications and poorer outcomes 1.

Additionally, the discharge diagnosis of altered mental status is vague and does not reflect the underlying cause or severity of the condition. Based on the clinical indicators in the case scenario, such as the fever, the low sodium level, the moaning and disorientation, and the venous blood gas results, a more specific diagnosis of septic encephalopathy would be appropriate. Septic encephalopathy is a type of delirium that occurs when sepsis affects the brain function, causing confusion, agitation, or reduced consciousness. Septic encephalopathy has a higher SOI and ROM than altered mental status because it indicates a systemic inflammatory response and multi-organ dysfunction 2.

Furthermore, the discharge diagnosis of respiratory distress is also vague and does not reflect the underlying cause or severity of the condition. Based on the clinical indicators in the case scenario, such as the shortness of breath, the accessory muscle use, the respiratory rate, and the bilevel positive airway pressure treatment, a more specific diagnosis of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure would be appropriate. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is a type of respiratory failure that occurs when there is insufficient oxygen exchange in the lungs, causing low oxygen levels in the blood. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure has a higher SOI and ROM than respiratory distress because it indicates a life-threatening condition that requires mechanical ventilation or oxygen therapy 3.

Finally, based on the clinical indicators in the case scenario, such as the fever, the elevated white blood count, and the antibiotic treatment, a diagnosis of sepsis should also be included in the query. Sepsis is a serious complication of infection that occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an infection and causes widespread inflammation and organ damage. Sepsis has a high SOI and ROM because it can lead to septic shock or death if not treated promptly 4.

Therefore, a post-discharge query should ask the provider to confirm or rule out aspiration pneumonia, hyponatremia (low sodium level), septic encephalopathy, and sepsis with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure as possible diagnoses for this patient. These diagnoses would result in a more specific principal diagnosis with the highest level of SOI and ROM for this patient.

References:

• CDIP® Exam Content Outline (https://www.ahima.org/media/1z0x0x1a/cdip-exam-content-outline.pdf)
• Aspiration Pneumonia - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics1
• Septic Encephalopathy - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics2
• Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics3
• Sepsis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic4

Query professionals should follow their healthcare entity’s internal policies related to querying, as they may vary depending on the organization’s size, structure, scope, and goals. The internal policies should be based on industry best practices and standards, such as those provided by AHIMA and ACDIS, as well as applicable laws and regulations, such as those from CMS and OIG. However, AHIMA’s and CMS’s policies are not binding for all healthcare entities, and they may not address all the specific situations and challenges that query professionals may encounter. Therefore, query professionals should be familiar with their own healthcare entity’s policies and procedures for querying, such as the query format, content, timing, delivery method, escalation process, retention, and audit. The other options are incorrect because they do not reflect the diversity and complexity of query policies across different healthcare entities.

This is the most compliant query based on the most recent AHIMA/ACDIS query practice brief because it is non-leading, non-suggestive, and provides multiple options for the physician to choose from. It also does not imply any financial or quality implications for adding a diagnosis associated with the BMI.

References: AHIMA/ACDIS. “Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update).” Journal of AHIMA 90, no. 2 (February 2019): 20-29.

The specificity of pseudomonas pneumonia would increase the relative weight of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) for the patient’s admission, which would affect the reimbursement for the hospital. Relative weight is a factor that reflects the average cost and resource use of a DRG compared to the average cost and resource use of all DRGs. The higher the relative weight, the higher the payment for the hospital. Pseudomonas pneumonia is classified as a major complication or comorbidity (MCC) in ICD-10-CM, which means that it significantly increases the severity of illness and risk of mortality of the patient. MCCs increase the relative weight of a DRG by assigning it to a higher-paying subclass within the same base DRG. For example, according to the CMS FY 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule1, the relative weight for DRG 193 (Simple pneumonia and pleurisy with MCC) is 1.4819, while the relative weight for DRG 195 (Simple pneumonia and pleurisy without MCC) is 0.7579. Therefore, if the patient is admitted due to pneumonia and has pseudomonas pneumonia as an MCC, the hospital would receive a higher payment than if the patient does not have an MCC.

References:

• CDIP® Exam Content Outline (https://www.ahima.org/media/1z0x0x1a/cdip-exam-content-outline.pdf)
• CMS FY 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule1

A strategy that should be part of a project aimed at improving the unacceptable documentation behaviors of some physicians is to add a physician advisor/champion to the CDI team. A physician advisor/champion is a physician leader who supports and advocates for the CDI program, educates and mentors other physicians on documentation best practices, resolves conflicts and barriers, and provides feedback and recognition to physicians who improve their documentation. A physician advisor/champion can help change the documentation behaviors of some physicians by using peer influence, credibility, and authority to motivate them to comply with the CDI program goals and standards. A physician advisor/champion can also help bridge the gap between the CDI team and the physicians, and foster a culture of collaboration and quality improvement 23.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 136 4 2: The Role of Physician Advisors in Clinical Documentation Improvement Programs 5 3: Physician Advisor: The Key to Clinical Documentation Improvement Success

The first step that a clinical documentation integrity practitioner (CDIP) should take to determine the present on admission (POA) status of a stage IV sacral decubitus ulcer documented in the discharge summary is to review the history and physical (H&P) because it is the initial source of information about the patient’s condition at the time of admission. The H&P should include a comprehensive physical examination that covers all body systems, including the skin. If the H&P documents the presence of a stage IV sacral decubitus ulcer, then the POA status is “yes”. If the H&P does not mention the ulcer, then the CDIP should look for other sources of documentation, such as wound care notes, nursing notes, or progress notes, to see if the ulcer was identified or treated during the hospital stay. If there is no clear evidence of when the ulcer developed, then the CDIP should query the attending provider to clarify the POA status. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

• CDIP Exam Content Outline1
• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide2
• Present on Admission Reporting Guidelines3

The appropriate action in this case is to query the physician to see if acute renal failure is clinically supported. This is because the patient has signs and symptoms of acute renal failure, such as oliguria, pulmonary edema, and elevated creatinine, but the diagnosis is not documented in the medical record. Acute renal failure is a clinical syndrome characterized by a rapid decline in kidney function and accumulation of metabolic waste products. It can be caused by various factors, such as dehydration, hypovolemia, sepsis, nephrotoxins, or obstruction. Acute renal failure can be classified according to the RIFLE criteria (Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, End-stage kidney disease) or the AKIN criteria (Acute Kidney Injury Network), which are based on changes in serum creatinine and urine output 23. A query to the physician is needed to confirm or rule out the diagnosis of acute renal failure, specify the etiology and severity of the condition, and document any associated complications or comorbidities. A query to the physician will also improve the accuracy and completeness of the documentation and coding, and reflect the true clinical picture and resource utilization of the patient.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 133 4 2: Acute Kidney Injury: Diagnosis and Management | AAFP 3: AKIN Classification for Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) - MDCalc

AHIMA suggests that an organization should consider a physician response rate of 80% and an agreement rate of 80% as benchmarks for CDI program performance. These rates indicate the level of physician engagement and documentation accuracy in relation to CDI queries.

References: AHIMA. “Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update).” Journal of AHIMA 90, no. 2 (February 2019): 20-29.

According to the AHIMA-ACDIS Practice Brief, a query escalation policy should describe how to handle situations in which an answer is not received, an inappropriate answer or comment is provided, etc. The escalation policy should address when the issue is brought to the physician advisor, the department director, or administration with defined actions as to the responsibilities at each level. The policies should reflect a method of response that can realistically occur for the organization1. In this case, since the attending physician has not responded to the query in an appropriate time frame, the CDIP should escalate the issue to the medical staff leadership, such as the chief medical officer, the department chair, or the physician advisor, who can facilitate communication and education with the attending physician and ensure documentation integrity and compliance1.

References:

• Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update) - AHIMA1

facilities must develop an escalation policy for unanswered queries and address any medical staff concerns regarding queries1. If a query does not receive an appropriate professional response, the case should be referred for further review in accordance with the facility’s written escalation policy2. The escalation policy should address when the issue is brought to the physician advisor, the department director, or administration with defined actions as to the responsibilities at each level1. The policies should reflect a method of response that can realistically occur for the organization1. Therefore, reviewing the facility’s query policies and procedures is the best approach to ensure compliance and consistency in handling unanswered queries.

The other options are not advisable because they either involve skipping the escalation policy, notifying the physician advisor/champion without proper review or feedback, contacting the physician repeatedly without respecting their time or availability, or notifying the coding team without resolving the query issue.

Hospital-acquired condition pay provisions apply only to inpatient prospective payment system hospitals because they are subject to the CMS policy that reduces payments for cases with conditions that were not present on admission. This policy is intended to encourage hospitals to improve the quality of care and prevent avoidable complications. Other types of hospitals, such as critical access hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, and inpatient psychiatric hospitals, are not affected by this policy and are paid based on different methodologies. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

• CDIP Exam Content Outline1
• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide2
• Hospital-Acquired Conditions (Present on Admission Indicator): Hospital …3

A query should include relevant clinical indicators from the health record that support the need for clarification and the query options. Clinical indicators are objective and measurable signs, symptoms, laboratory results, diagnostic test results, medications, treatments, and other documented findings that are related to a specific diagnosis or condition. Information from previous encounters, the impact on quality, and the impact of reimbursement are not appropriate to include in a query, as they may introduce bias, lead the provider, or imply a desired response.

A query should be generated to ask the physician for the POA indicator of the fall because the documentation is unclear whether the fall was present at the time of inpatient admission or not. The POA indicator is used to identify conditions that are present or not present at the time of admission, and has payment implications for certain hospital-acquired conditions (HACs). According to CMS, a fall resulting in trauma is one of the HACs that will not be paid at a higher rate if it is not present on admission. Therefore, it is important to clarify the POA indicator of the fall to ensure accurate coding and reimbursement. A query should be non-leading, concise, clear, relevant, and consistent with CDI standards and guidelines.

References:

• CDIP® Exam Content Outline (https://www.ahima.org/media/1z0x0x1a/cdip-exam-content-outline.pdf)
• Coding | CMS1
• Present on Admission Indicators - Novitas Solutions2

The first step in changing a departmental workflow is to assess the current workflow and identify the problems or inefficiencies that need to be addressed. This will help to define the gaps and solutions, set realistic timelines, and re-engineer the process.

References: AHIMA. “CDIP Exam Preparation.” AHIMA Press, Chicago, IL, 2017: 125-126.

Malnutrition is a diagnosis that is most likely to trigger a second level review because it affects the severity of illness (SOI) and risk of mortality (ROM) of the patient, as well as the reimbursement and quality measures of the hospital. Malnutrition also requires clinical validation and clear documentation of its etiology, type, degree, and duration2 References: 1: 2:

Educating physicians on severity of illness and risk of mortality is best accomplished by using case studies that demonstrate how documentation affects these indicators and how they impact patient care, quality outcomes, and reimbursement.

References: AHIMA. “CDIP Exam Preparation.” AHIMA Press, Chicago, IL, 2017: 97-98.

Unbundling services falls under the False Claims Act because it is a form of coding fraud that involves billing separately for components of a related group of procedures or tests that should be billed as a single code. For example, if a provider performs a comprehensive metabolic panel, which is a blood test that measures several components of the blood, such as glucose, electrolytes, and liver enzymes, and bills for each component individually instead of using the single code for the panel, that is unbundling. Unbundling services can result in overpayment by the government and can violate the False Claims Act, which prohibits submitting false or fraudulent claims for payment to the government, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Violators of the False Claims Act can face civil penalties of up to three times the amount of the false claim plus an additional $11,000 per claim 23.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 133 4 2: Coding Fraud | VSG 5 3: False Claims Act | OIG 2

According to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2023, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is also known as diastolic heart failure or heart failure with normal ejection fraction1. The code category for diastolic heart failure is I50.3-, which includes unspecified diastolic (congestive) heart failure (I50.30), acute diastolic (congestive) heart failure (I50.31), chronic diastolic (congestive) heart failure (I50.32), and acute on chronic diastolic (congestive) heart failure (I50.33)1. If the documentation does not specify the acuity of the diastolic heart failure, the default code is I50.301. Therefore, the correct coding for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction is I50.30.

References:

• ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 20231

A noncompliant multiple-choice query is one that does not include at least four options because it may limit the provider’s choice and suggest a preferred answer. A compliant multiple-choice query should include at least four options that are clinically significant, reasonable, and plausible based on the clinical indicators and documentation in the health record. The options should also be listed in alphabetical order to avoid any bias or preference. A compliant multiple-choice query should also allow the provider to add their own response if none of the options are appropriate, and include the option of “unable to determine” if the provider cannot make a definitive diagnosis based on the available information. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

• CDIP Exam Content Outline1
• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide2
• Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update)3

The step that the clinical documentation integrity (CDI) manager should take to help avoid future Medicare violations is to collaborate with physician advisor/champion and revenue cycle manager. The physician advisor/champion can help with educating and engaging the physicians on the importance and impact of clinical documentation on coding, reimbursement, quality measures, compliance, and patient care. The revenue cycle manager can help with analyzing and monitoring the denial trends and patterns, identifying and resolving the root causes of denials, implementing corrective actions and preventive measures, and ensuring timely and accurate claim submission and appeal processes. References: : :

A leading query is one that suggests a specific diagnosis, condition, or treatment to the provider, or implies that a certain response is desired or expected. A leading query can compromise the integrity and accuracy of the documentation and the coded data, and may also raise compliance and ethical issues. A query should be non-leading, meaning that it presents the facts from the health record without bias or influence, and allows the provider to use their clinical judgment to determine the appropriate response.

The query in the question is leading because it implies that the patient’s CHF is systolic by asking a yes/no question that only offers one option. A non-leading query would ask an open-ended question that offers multiple options, such as “What type of CHF does this patient have?” or “Please specify the type of CHF: systolic, diastolic, or combined.”

References:

• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide, 2021 Edition. AHIMA Press. ISBN: 9781584268530
• Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice—2022 Update | ACDIS
• Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update) - AHIMA
• The Provider Query Toolkit: A Guide to Compliant Practices

The factor that should be examined when developing documentation integrity projects is CC and MCC capture rates. CC stands for complication or comorbidity, and MCC stands for major complication or comorbidity. These are secondary diagnoses that affect the severity of illness (SOI) and risk of mortality (ROM) of the patient, as well as the reimbursement and quality measures of the hospital. CC and MCC capture rates measure how well the clinical documentation reflects the presence and impact of these conditions on the patient’s care. Examining CC and MCC capture rates can help to identify documentation improvement opportunities, goals, strategies, and outcomes4 References: 1: 4:

According to the AHIMA CDIP Exam Preparation Guide, the adjusted case mix index (CMI) is a measure that demonstrates the relative severity and complexity of patients treated in a hospital, and is used to evaluate the financial impact of a hospital’s clinical documentation integrity (CDI) program1. The adjusted CMI is calculated by multiplying the unadjusted CMI by a factor that accounts for the percentage of Medicare patients in the hospital2. The higher the adjusted CMI, the higher the expected reimbursement per patient, and the more effective the CDI program is assumed to be3. The other options are not correct because they do not measure the severity and complexity of patients or the financial impact of CDI. Hospital acquired conditions (HACs) are conditions that are not present on admission and are considered preventable by CMS, and may result in reduced reimbursement or penalties4. The program for evaluating payment patterns electronic report (PEPPER) is a report that provides hospital-specific data on potential overpayments or underpayments for certain services or diagnoses, and helps identify areas of risk or opportunity for improvement. Present on admission (POA) indicators are codes that indicate whether a condition was present at the time of admission or acquired during the hospital stay, and affect the assignment of DRGs and HACs. References:

• CDIP Exam Preparation Guide - AHIMA
• Demystifying and communicating case-mix index - ACDIS
• What is Case Mix Index? | The Importance of CMI
• Hospital-Acquired Conditions (HACs) | CMS
• [PEPPER Resources]
• [Present on Admission Reporting Guidelines - CMS]

An Excludes 2 note in ICD-10-CM indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes 2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together to completely describe the condition. For example, under code R05 Cough, there is an Excludes 2 note for whooping cough (A37.-). This means that a patient can have both a cough and whooping cough at the same time, and both codes can be used together to capture the full clinical picture.

References:

• CDIP® Exam Content Outline (https://www.ahima.org/media/1z0x0x1a/cdip-exam-content-outline.pdf)
• ICD-10-CM Features | Diagnosis Coding: Using the ICD-10-CM1