Coronavirus is spreading.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is a developing story and ICD10monitor will continue to update you on the latest development on this global health crisis.
As of Jan. 27, eight cases of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCor) have been reported in the United States. The outbreak that started in Wuhan, China has spread to four states – Washington, California, Arizona, and Illinois.
In China, there are close to 2,000 cases that have been confirmed, with 56 deaths. Cases reported in Shanghai have increased concern for a potential epidemic in China due to the large population in that city. Internationally, the virus has spread to Australia, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Nepal, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that this event does not meet the level of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern yet, but the Emergency Committee will reconvene to assess the situation.
The situation is very fluid now. The U.S. State Department has ordered the Wuhan diplomats of the U.S. Consulate and other U.S. citizens to leave the area. U.S. citizens were advised to contact the Consulate if they wanted a spot on the plane, which is leaving on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
The coronavirus is transmitted between animals and people. The symptoms of this virus include mild to severe respiratory illness, with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Severe cases of the infection may produce pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death. The virus spreads from person to person, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are not sure how easily the virus spreads. Typically, the person-to-person transfer includes coughing or sneezing, if the virus is spread like influenza or other respiratory pathogens. The incubation period for this virus is 10 to 14 days.
The WHO recommends the following actions for prevention:
The CDC has also recommended that the flu shot would provide some coverage.
WHO is recommending that countries increase surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARIs). The WHO should be notified of any confirmed or suspected case of the novel coronavirus.
The coding for this virus can be found in the 2020 ICD-10-CM Coding Manual. When looking under the term “coronavirus,” the corresponding code is B97.29. This code has a description of Other coronaviruses as the cause of disease classified elsewhere. Using this code is like coding a urinary tract infection, so the coder is required to look further. The SARS-associated coronavirus as the cause of disease classified elsewhere would be assigned B97.21. The main term of Virus leads the coder to the coding instruction of See Also Condition. The coder should then reference the main term of Infection with sub-term of coronavirus. The corresponding code is B34.2 for Coronavirus, unspecified.
At this time, there is not enough information known to be more specific. The only American Hospital Association (AHA) Coding Clinic reference to coronavirus can be found in the Fourth Quarter, 2003. This reference discusses the SARS coronavirus.
Programming Note: Listen to Laurie Johnson report this story live with updated information today during Talk Ten Tuesdays, 10-10:30 a.m. EST.
Today is Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday.” It is the last day before lent starts tomorrow, Ash Wednesday. This got me thinking
EDITOR’S NOTE: The narrative in this article reflects the firsthand perspectives and professional experience of Tami McMasters Gomez, curated and prepared for publication by Penny
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
Sepsis sequencing continues to challenge even experienced coding and CDI professionals, with evolving guidelines, documentation gaps, and payer scrutiny driving denials and data inconsistencies. In this webcast, Payal Sinha, MBA, RHIA, CCDS, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS-O, CRC, CRCR, provides clear guideline-based strategies to accurately code sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock, assign POA indicators, clarify the relationship between infection and organ dysfunction, and align documentation across teams. Attendees will gain practical tools to strengthen audit defensibility, improve first-pass accuracy, support appeal success, reduce denials, and ensure accurate quality reporting, empowering organizations to achieve consistent, compliant sepsis coding outcomes.
Expert presenters Kathy Pride, RHIT, CPC, CCS-P, CPMA, and Brandi Russell, RHIA, CCS, COC, CPMA, break down complex fracture care coding rules, walk through correct modifier application (-25, -57, 54, 55), and clarify sequencing for initial and subsequent encounters. Attendees will gain the practical knowledge needed to submit clean claims, ensure compliance, and stay one step ahead of payer audits in 2026.
Accurately determining the principal diagnosis is critical for compliant billing, appropriate reimbursement, and valid quality reporting — yet it remains one of the most subjective and error-prone areas in inpatient coding. In this expert-led session, Cheryl Ericson, RN, MS, CCDS, CDIP, demystifies the complexities of principal diagnosis assignment, bridging the gap between coding rules and clinical reality. Learn how to strengthen your organization’s coding accuracy, reduce denials, and ensure your documentation supports true medical necessity.
Denials continue to delay reimbursement, increase administrative burden, and threaten financial stability across healthcare organizations. This essential webcast tackles the root causes—rising payer scrutiny, fragmented workflows, inconsistent documentation, and underused analytics—and offers proven, data-driven strategies to prevent and overturn denials. Attendees will gain practical tools to strengthen documentation and coding accuracy, engage clinicians effectively, and leverage predictive analytics and AI to identify risks before they impact revenue. Through real-world case examples and actionable guidance, this session empowers coding, CDI, and revenue cycle professionals to shift from reactive appeals to proactive denial prevention and revenue protection.
In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.
Join Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM for The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips, a practical webcast that demystifies the PEPPER and shows you how to turn complex claims data into actionable insights. Dr. Hirsch will explain how to interpret key measures, identify compliance risks, uncover missed revenue opportunities, and understand new updates in the PEPPER, all to help your organization stay ahead of audits and use this powerful data proactively.
Stay ahead of the 2026-2027 audit surge with “Top 10 Audit Targets for 2026-2027 for Hospitals & Physicians: Protect Your Revenue,” a high-impact webcast led by Michael Calahan, PA, MBA. This concise session gives hospitals and physicians clear insight into the most likely federal audit targets, such as E/M services, split/shared and critical care, observation and admissions, device credits, and Two-Midnight Rule changes, and shows how to tighten documentation, coding, and internal processes to reduce denials, recoupments, and penalties. Attendees walk away with practical best practices to protect revenue, strengthen compliance, and better prepare their teams for inevitable audits.
As AI reshapes healthcare compliance, the risk of biased outputs and opaque decision-making grows. This webcast, led by Frank Cohen, delivers a practical Four-Pillar Governance Framework—Transparency, Accountability, Fairness, and Explainability—to help you govern AI-driven claim auditing with confidence. Learn how to identify and mitigate bias, implement robust human oversight, and document defensible AI review processes that regulators and auditors will accept. Discover concrete remedies, from rotation protocols to uncertainty scoring, and actionable steps to evaluate vendors before contracts are signed. In a regulatory landscape that moves faster than ever, gain the tools to stay compliant, defend your processes, and reduce liability while maintaining operational effectiveness.
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. 1 with code CYBER25
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24
