Accurate CDI is Imperative in Coding Severe Malnutrition

One billion dollars is a big number, but more astounding to me, as it pertains to a recent finding by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG), was that hospitals were found to have incorrectly documented and/or coded severe malnutrition 86.5 percent of the time (173/200)! That’s almost unimaginable.

The examples given by the OIG allude to the fact that, in addition to auditing whether the diagnosis of “severe malnutrition” was actually documented by a hands-on provider, there was also attention given to clinical validation – specifically, in the context of the effect on patient care. Unfortunately, there was no mention in the full report of exactly what clinical standards were utilized beyond the coding guidelines of monitoring, evaluation, treatment, impact to nursing care, or length of stay.

In 2017, many of us in clinical documentation improvement (CDI) invested significant time and resources on malnutrition validation processes. This was driven not only by the OIG work plans at the time, but actual reports of recovery audits, as well as managed care denials.

It is time to dust off those policies and processes and make sure we are compliant and consistent. The first step is to circle back with your institutional experts – the registered dietitians (RDs). They are likely utilizing the 2012 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) criteria, but since the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria came out in 2018, it is worth revisiting. Renewed physician education is likely necessary, making sure to focus on the clinical significance documentation. Don’t forget to show your physicians, CDI specialists, and coders where they can find the RD notes in the medical record.

In addition to standardization and education, consider monitoring the incidence of malnutrition documented. This often parallels educational efforts. For CDI programs, audit your nutritional queries for compliance, and track the volume of malnutrition validation queries. If you see an uptick in the validation queries, you may need to perform focused education for identified providers.

If you are planning retrospective chart reviews, identify similar claims to what the OIG audited – patients with severe malnutrition as their single major complication or comorbidity (MCC). Random selections are ideal if you have the time and resources, but if I was looking to find the charts at highest risk for not having documented clinical criteria or significance, I would focus on patients with a shorter length of stay than expected.

If you assist with clinical validation denials, engage your dietary leadership in writing appeals. Collect evidence-based articles that support the clinical significance of malnutrition on morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. You can use these in your appeal letters, as well as in peer-to-peer appeals.

Malnutrition is a serious diagnosis that impacts every aspect of a patient’s health and care. It is not just a symptom of disease, and it can be independently treated with success.

When all is said and done, CDI owns the question, and providers own their answer; however, the penalties are steep if we don’t hardwire a mechanism to ensure accuracy.

Table One:

Developing organizational diagnostic criteria for high-value, highly scrutinized diagnoses:

  1. Identify stakeholders and subject matter experts
  2. Establish minimum threshold criteria
  3. Formulate a physician education plan
  4. Standardize CDI team query practice

Table Two:

Malnutrition clinical validation

  1. Are minimum diagnostic threshold criteria met?
  2. Does the evaluation and management match the diagnosis?
    1. And if not, why?
      1. Is the patient refusing treatment?
      2. Is it of limited benefit, under the circumstances?
  3. Is contradicting documentation insignificant or addressed?
    1. Example: “well-nourished” in the exam
    2. Example: MD ROS: no weight loss . . . RN history > 10 pound weight loss
  4. Is the diagnosis consistently documented?
    1. If impacting care, it should be a main character in the patient story.
  5. Is the physician rationale and clinical significance apparent or documented?
    1. Weight loss and physical findings should be in a provider note.
    2. If not clear how malnutrition is impacting care, query:
      1. Example: prolonged wound healing
      2. Example: muscle weakness and need for rehab
      3. Example: unable to get further chemotherapy
      4. Example: factor in hospice eligibility (prognostication)
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Beth Wolf, MD, CPC, CCDS

Dr. Wolf is board certified in internal medicine, palliative medicine, and clinical informatics. For the past eight years she has worked as the Medical Director for Health Information Management with Roper St. Francis Healthcare, where she applies her expertise in clinical documentation and serves as the primary liaison to the medical staff on coding and documentation issues. Her goal is to improve data reliability and align Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) efforts with physician and system priorities.

Related Stories

Leave a Reply

Please log in to your account to comment on this article.

Featured Webcasts

The Cost of Ignoring Risk Adjustment: How HCCs Impact Revenue & Compliance

The Cost of Ignoring Risk Adjustment: How HCCs Impact Revenue & Compliance

Stop revenue leakage and boost hospital performance by mastering risk adjustment and HCCs. This essential webcast with expert Cheryl Ericson, RN, MS, CCDS, CDIP, will reveal how inaccurate patient acuity documentation leads to lost reimbursements through penalties from poor quality scores. Learn the critical differences between HCCs and traditional CCs/MCCs, adapt your CDI workflows, and ensure accurate payments in Medicare Advantage and value-based care models. Perfect for HIM leaders, coders, and CDI professionals.  Don’t miss this chance to protect your hospital’s revenue and reputation!

May 29, 2025
I050825

Mastering ICD-10-CM Coding for Diabetes and it’s Complications: Avoiding Denials & Ensuring Compliance

Struggling with ICD-10-CM coding for diabetes and complications? This expert-led webcast clarifies complex combination codes, documentation gaps, and sequencing rules to reduce denials and ensure compliance. Dr. Angela Comfort will provide actionable strategies to accurately link diabetes to complications, improve provider documentation, and optimize reimbursement—helping coders, CDI specialists, and HIM leaders minimize audit risks and strengthen revenue integrity. Don’t miss this chance to master diabetes coding with real-world case studies, key takeaways, and live Q&A!

May 8, 2025
2025 Coding Clinic Webcast Series

2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series

Uncover critical guidance. HIM coding expert, Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, provides an interactive review on important information in each of the AHA’s 2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics in easy-to-access on-demand webcasts, available shortly after each official publication.

April 14, 2025

Trending News

Featured Webcasts

The Two-Midnight Rule: New Challenges, Proven Strategies

The Two-Midnight Rule: New Challenges, Proven Strategies

RACmonitor is proud to welcome back Dr. Ronald Hirsch, one of his most requested webcasts. In this highly anticipated session, Dr. Hirsch will break down the complex Two Midnight Rule Medicare regulations, translating them into clear, actionable guidance. He’ll walk you through the basics of the rule, offer expert interpretation, and apply the rule to real-world clinical scenarios—so you leave with greater clarity, confidence, and the tools to ensure compliance.

June 19, 2025
Open Door Forum Webcast Series

Open Door Forum Webcast Series

Bring your questions and join the conversation during this open forum series, live every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST from June 11–July 30. Hosted by Chuck Buck, these fast-paced 30-minute sessions connect you directly with top healthcare experts tackling today’s most urgent compliance and policy issues.

June 11, 2025
Open Door Forum: The Changing Face of Addiction: Coding, Compliance & Care

Open Door Forum: The Changing Face of Addiction: Coding, Compliance & Care

Substance abuse is everywhere. It’s a complicated diagnosis with wide-ranging implications well beyond acute care. The face of addiction continues to change so it’s important to remember not just the addict but the spectrum of extended victims and the other social determinants and legal ramifications. Join John K. Hall, MD, JD, MBA, FCLM, FRCPC, for a critical Q&A on navigating substance abuse in 2025.  Register today and be a part of the conversation!

July 16, 2025

Trending News

Prepare for the 2025 CMS IPPS Final Rule with ICD10monitor’s IPPSPalooza! Click HERE to learn more

Get 15% OFF on all educational webcasts at ICD10monitor with code JULYFOURTH24 until July 4, 2024—start learning today!

CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24