Choosing the right diagnosis code is the key to reducing denials. Hospital coding and billing staff can rely on this incredibly useful resource to help find the right code quickly, comply with HIPAA and reduce claims denials.

• NEW!Online access — e-Links for our Plain English Descriptions for ICD-9-CM online! Use our lay descriptions to code as specifically as possible — the key to getting paid!
• NEW! 500 coding tips—valuable information on ICD-9-CM codes integrated throughout the book to help you code more efficiently
• Alert icons for POA and HAC indications, complications and co-morbidities (CCs), and major complications and co-morbidities (MCCs) — aids in reducing risk of upcoding audits and potential fines
• ICD-9-CM Official Coding Guidelines integrated into tabular listing with the affected code(s) — one-stop code and guideline look-up
• All 2010 new and revised codes with a summary of all code changes plus official ICD-9-CM Appendixes — using official and updated information is essential to complying with HIPAA and getting paid
• Detailed, full-page anatomy illustrations plus over 1,000 code-specific illustrations that have been integrated into the book — allows better interpretation of clinical notes to help you code with more specificity
• Intuitive icons for age and sex edits, new or revised text, 4th and 5th digit requirements — helps ensure specificity and validity
• V Code designation icons — recognize when V codes can be used only as primary or additional diagnoses
• AHA Coding Clinic© for ICD-9-CM references noted with applicable codes — lets you know exactly where to look for more guidance
• Valid three-digit list — identify a condition or disease when an additional digit is not available
• Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) compliance icons — identify Medicare Code Edits (MCE) used to audit claims
• Color icons for "Unacceptable Principal Diagnosis" and "Non-covered Procedure", and "Valid O.R." and "Non O.R." procedures — helps you see important information at a glance