The implementation date for the new code remains uncertain at this time.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Skurka, who is stepping down after 40 years of voluntary services to AHIMA and the World Health Organization, will make her public farewell appearance on Talk Ten Tuesdays today.
I’m sure a question on all your minds is this: when will we start coding with ICD-11 in the U.S.?
I have no idea, nor does anyone, really, in the U.S., to the best of my knowledge. Much must happen before that decision is made. As an active, current member of the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics (NCVHS) in the U.S., I can report that it remains firmly on our agenda. We are an advisory committee that can make recommendations and observations, set goals and establish vision, and provide guidance and framework regarding implementation work – but we do not make policy decisions, or anything of the sort.
NCVHS did send an important follow-up letter to the first letter sent about ICD-11 in 2019. Our newest letter was issued in September of this year. We again made two recommendations:
How long will this research and evaluation period last? I do not think any of us know. Last time it took us 25 years after it was endorsed by the WHO. No decisions have been made by either the U.S. or our colleagues in Canada and Australia whether various editions will be developed. Both Canada and Australia are saying “no” at this point, to the best of my knowledge, and I am in contact with my counterparts there regularly.
NCVHS recommended in its latest letter that the research be completed in 12 months. There have been only three studies, I believe, in the U.S. to date that directly compare ICD-11 with ICD-10-CM. NCVHS did develop an updated set of recommended research questions, and they were attached to the aforementioned letter sent. We also recommended that HHS execute a strategic communication plan as soon as possible, running parallel with the recommended research work over the next 12 months.
We believe that taking a proactive approach to ICD-11 is essential. This includes all the research and communications recommendations included in the most recent letter. The U.S. needs to identify a path forward that supports national healthcare priorities, optimizes benefits, and minimizes cost. Doesn’t that sound great! WHO continues to say that ICD-11 is so comprehensive that there will be no ICD-12. I hope that is true! I want to highlight an excellent publication that the International Federation of Health Information Management Associations (IFHIMA) released on Feb. 10 of this year, titled IFHIMA Fosters Planning for ICD-11 Adoption with Global Case Studies. It is available, free, of course, online at http://ifhima.org/whitepapers. Enjoy the read.
I have enjoyed all my 16 years as the IFHIMA rep to the WHO, and the sponsorship from AHIMA, but it is time for new blood. I’m proud to say that Mary Stanfill, RHIA, a well-known HIM professional in the U.S., replaced me a few weeks ago, after the WHO-FIC annual meeting. She will offer strong leadership for the IFHIMA and also can provide input regarding HIM activities in the U.S. Welcome, Mary, and thank you AHIMA for your sponsorship of me all these years at the international level.
The very best to all who are reading today. Thank you.
Programming Note: Listen to Margaret Skurka’s live farewell address today on Talk Ten Tuesday, 10 Eastern.
In the ever-evolving world of health information, few transitions generate as much anticipation and uncertainty as the adoption of a new international classification system. The
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ms. Fernandes is the immediate Past President and Communications Chair for the International Federation of Health Information Management Associations (IFHIMA), and will be
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
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.
Sepsis remains one of the most frequently denied and contested diagnoses, creating costly revenue loss and compliance risks. In this webcast, Angela Comfort, DBA, MBA, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P, provides practical, real-world strategies to align documentation with coding guidelines, reconcile Sepsis-2 and Sepsis-3 definitions, and apply compliant queries. You’ll learn how to identify and address documentation gaps, strengthen provider engagement, and defend diagnoses against payer scrutiny—equipping you to protect reimbursement, improve SOI/ROM capture, and reduce audit vulnerability in this high-risk area.
Only ICD10monitor delivers what you need: updates on must-know changes associated with the FY26 IPPS, including new ICD-10-CM/PCS codes, CCs/MCCs, and MS-DRGs, plus insights, analysis and answers to your questions from two of the country’s most respected subject matter experts.
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.
Get clear, practical answers to Medicare’s most confusing regulations. Join Dr. Ronald Hirsch as he breaks down real-world compliance challenges and shares guidance your team can apply right away.
Federal auditors are zeroing in on Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) and hospital rehab unit services, with OIG and CERT audits leading to millions in penalties—often due to documentation and administrative errors, not quality of care. Join compliance expert Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, to learn the five clinical “pillars” of IRF-PPS admissions, key documentation requirements, and real-life case lessons to help protect your revenue.
During this essential RACmonitor webcast Michael Calahan, PA, MBA Certified Compliance Officer, will clarify the rules, dispel common misconceptions, and equip you with practical strategies to code, document, and bill high-risk split/shared, incident-to & critical care E/M services with confidence. Don’t let audit risks or revenue losses catch your organization off guard — learn exactly what federal auditors are looking for and how to ensure your documentation and reporting stand up to scrutiny.
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
