ICD-9-CM and POA Coding Mentor: A Learning Tool for Interpreting Health Records, With Answer Key

ICD-9-CM and POA Coding Mentor offers a new way to understand the thought process behind the work of master coders. Using 75 actual (not cleaned up ) medical records, it illustrates the path a coding expert follows to evaluate inpatient charts, clarify incomplete and often ambiguous information, and reach conclusions for appropriate code assignments. Patient charts provide a comprehensive mix of documentation (e.g., lab results, radiology reports, progress notes, consults, surgeries, etc.) to give coders real world experience on basic through complex cases. Coding Mentor reveals the traps that can lead to unacceptable coding and provides rationales that support coding which will pass audit reviews. Coders at different skill levels (novice, intermediate, advanced) are each presented with 25 cases designed to test their thinking and their assignment of ICD-9-CM codes, POA indicators and MS-DRGs. This book will improve quality audits and reimbursement results for coding departments by strengthening staff competence and independence.