Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 9:04 PM
As of January 2017, new changes are coming that concern skin grafts. Previously, skin grafts have only been considered treatments and did not change a wound type to surgical on the OASIS. However, this will all change in 2017.
The new guidance states that wounds treated with either grafts or flaps will be considered surgical wounds on the OASIS and will be coded like surgical wounds. For example, stage 4 pressure ulcer to the hip, which is treated with a skin graft, will still be coded as a pressure ulcer and marked as a pressure ulcer on the OASIS. As of January 1, it will be identified as a surgical wound and we would no longer code the pressure ulcer (the same way we code for skin/muscle flaps now).
According to Mary Deakle, Corridor’s Senior Manager of Compliance and Education, “We’ve had so many changes over the past couple years that completely changed the way we code. Communication is crucial during these times. Ask questions and stay informed.”
Corridor’s Coding Services offers ICD-10 coding, multi-level OASIS reviews, Clinician documentation review, as well as trends and reporting. Contact us to learn more.
About Corridor
Corridor is the nation’s preferred partner and trusted business advisor to home health and hospice providers, providing quality services and impactful results for 30 years. Focusing on key operational, regulatory and financial challenges, Corridor delivering industry-unique solutions and deep expertise in coding, clinical documentation review, compliance, billing and collections , consulting and provider staff education . At Corridor, we make the business of caring for people Better! For the most important industry updates and news that impacts home health and hospice, please make sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive the latest up-to-date industry information direct to your inbox!
For additional information, please contact Corridor at 1-866-263-3795.
