2026 IPPS Expands MS-DRGs, Updates Quality Programs
When the 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule takes effect on Oct. 1, coders,
When the 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and Long-Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System (LTCH PPS) Final Rule takes effect on Oct. 1, coders,
This week I am reviewing coding rules that impact inpatient claims when the Medicare Three-Day Payment Window results in ambulatory/outpatient surgery being paid as part
In the current climate of cost containment, commercial payers are increasingly downgrading MS-DRGs after claims are submitted, not disputing the need for inpatient care, but
As I continue to focus on documentation, this week I am turning my attention to a frequently misunderstood Medicare rule: the Three-Day Payment Window. This
In 2025, clinical documentation integrity (CDI) is experiencing a significant evolution. What was once considered a back-office function focused primarily on inpatient coding accuracy has
Last August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) reported its findings on a review of certain MS-DRGs
While it is not in the news on a daily basis any longer, COVID has not gone away. Since the start of the pandemic, we
Coding in the post-acute care world has taken on a new significance in the past five years. For those of us who are coders, this
Wrapping up our discussion of the ICD-10-CM and PCS code updates released on Oct. 1, in this article we will examine some PCS-related changes. I
The Coordination and Maintenance Committee is scheduled for today —the first of a two-day session by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
The clinical documentation integrity (CDI) profession began its heyday in 2008, with the advent of the Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Group (MS-DRG) system that built and
As we begin the second half of the year, it is a convenient time to make plans and take stock of our coding operations. There
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.
Learn how to navigate the proposed elimination of the Inpatient-Only list. Gain strategies to assess admission status, avoid denials, protect compliance, and address impacts across Medicare and non-Medicare payors. Essential insights for hospitals.
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.
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.
This third session in our 2026 IPPS Masterclass will feature a review of FY26 changes to the MS-DRG methodology and new technology add-on payments (NTAPs), presented by nationally recognized ICD-10 coding expert Christine Geiger, MA, RHIA, CCS, CRC, with bonus insights and analysis from Dr. James Kennedy.
This second session in our 2026 IPPS Masterclass will feature a review the FY26 changes to ICD-10-PCS codes. This information will be presented by nationally recognized ICD-10 coding expert Christine Geiger, MA, RHIA, CCS, CRC, with bonus insights and analysis from Dr. James Kennedy.
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24