ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Coding Documentation Tips for Skin Neoplasms (C43-C44)

  The arrival of ICD-10-CM is on the horizon, and it will soon be essential for all wound care practitioners to refine their documentation skills in preparation for the new coding format. In an effort to assist our readers as they transition from ICD-9-CM, Today’s Wound Clinic will feature an assortment of ICD-10-CM documentation tools in the coming months on particular disease states or conditions that have been developed to help improve one’s documentation habits, which will be vital to the success of wound clinics in the ICD-10-CM environment. The tools may also contain information on coding guidelines when appropriate. This month’s tool covers the category of neoplasms. (Refer to our October 2013 issue for our tool on infectious diseases and an overview of our ICD-10-CM agenda.)

  As a reminder, please refer to the original ICD-10-CM article in the October 2013 issue of Today’s Wound Clinic for instructions on how to properly use the above grid to begin your documentation improvement program. Pointers: Remember to have any pathology reports readily available as well as documentation regarding results of any treatments rendered. Stay tuned for our next topic on pressure ulcers!