Description: The principal diagnosis is defined in the Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Set as "the condition established after study to be chiefly responsible for occasioning the admission of the patient to the hospital for care." In order to determine which diagnosis is the best representation of the focus of care, the entire record must be reviewed. In order to determine this, many things must be evaluated. What occasioned the admission and would it normally cause an inpatient admission? What do the coding guidelines state? What clinical indicators are present? Was the condition present on admission and managed, evaluated, assessed or treated during the stay? Is there consistent and clear documentation of the condition throughout the record? This presentation will delve into coding guidelines, coding clinics, denial topics and case examples surrounding principal diagnosis selection.

Webinar Date: This was presented as part of OHIMA's 2020 Virtual Conference - March 18, 2020
Duration: 1 hour

Speaker:  Staci Booth, BS, MA, CPC, CCS, CRCR is an experienced certified coder, appeals specialist and auditor with a demonstrated history of working in the health care industry for over 20 years with both physicians and facilities. She is skilled in ICD-10, CPT, NCCI, DRG validation, coding/clinical denials, various programs (including Microsoft) and EMRs. Staci also has an educational background, having taught in many settings including colleges, physician offices and at hospitals. She has a Master of Arts (MA) focused in Humanities and a Bachelor of Science (BS) focused in Psychology. She is also a certified ICD-10 Trainer and Revenue Cycle Trainer though AHIMA. Currently, she is the director of DRG validation, inpatient and outpatient appeals and coding education for Ensemble Health Partners.

Click here to register for this webinar!

Cost: $25 Members / $35 Non-Members
1 AHIMA CEU*
Domain: Data Structure, Content and Information Governance

*AHIMA CEUs are also accepted by the AAPC! Check eligibility on the AAPC website.