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Coding Resources

There are specific organizations that are recognized as the national authorities on medical coding advice. Classification changes and the associated guidelines development are the responsibility of the medical code set maintenance organizations. Two federal agencies, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), maintain ICD-9-CM. Representatives from these two agencies co-chair the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, an advisory body that holds public meetings to discuss possible updates and revisions to ICD-9-CM. The American Medical Association (AMA) is responsible for CPT. CMS is also in charge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).

Regarding ICD-9-CM clinical coding guidelines, the September 3, 1986, Federal Register, stated, "Coding guidelines are clarified through unanimous agreement by the Cooperating Parties of the ICD-9-CM Coding Clinic." Those cooperating parties are NCHS, CMS, AHIMA, and the American Hospital Association (AHA). Therefore, AHIMA cannot issue coding guidelines independently.

The Central Office on ICD-9-CM was developed to provide consistent and accurate advice for appropriate and effective application of the ICD-9-CM classification system. To achieve this, AHIMA and the other cooperating parties can only refer coders seeking official ICD-9-CM coding advice to the AHA.

Articles on medical coding problems, disease processes, regulatory and legislative issues, reviews of coding products, and other information useful to the coding professional are located in the Community Resources of the Coding Community and continue as a member benefit. The current and back isssues of CodeWrite newsletters are contained in the Body of Knowledge (BoK). The current issue of CodeWrite can be found in the CoP. Continuing education units are available after reading the monthly newsletter, completing the quiz, and submitting the appropriate fee. To see a sample CodeWrite Newsletter, click here.

The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) provides timely and dependable resources through its various products available on its web site. Each year AHIMA publishes an outstanding selection of coding materials tailored to specific healthcare settings including many audio seminars on a variety of coding and data quality topics. In addition, AHIMA also makes clinical coding books from other publishers available. To find out additional information about these resources, click here.

AHIMA also has an online a Coding Assessment and Training Solutions Program. This coding program provides the opportunities for organizations and coders to assess and develop thier coding skills on an ongoing basis. Courses range from ICD-9-CM to Interventional Radiology speciality coding. Call (312) 233-1158 for more information about the program or go to http://campus.ahima.org/campus/course_info/CATS/CATS_info.html.

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