Hospital Coding

Hospital (DRG) Coding:

            Diagnoses and procedures will be coded utilizing the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and/or other classification systems that may be required Company facilities will follow the most current Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting diagnoses and procedures published in AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-9-CM.

Why MS-DRGs?

WHY MS-DRGs?

According to the 8/22/07 Final Rule, CMS chose MS-DRGs over the other DRG systems because:

            - MS-DRGs remains an improvement over the current CMS DRGs;

            - MS-DRGs are more up-to-date (in relation to the review of MCCs & CCs);

            - MS-DRGs are understandable;

            - MS-DRGs will have fewer transition issues than other systems; and

            - MS-DRGs allow for updates and maintenance to continue using the same process as under the current CMS DRGs.