The United States will be one step closer to implementing ICD-10-CM if the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed rule announced August 15 is finalized. The rule, which calls for an October 1, 2011 implementation date, is currently open for public comment until October 21, 5pm EST.

Ask the expert: When our hospital treats inmates from the local jail, may we provide information to jail officials if the patient is in custody?

There are several new codes that will take effect October 1 that will require physicians to provide much more detailed documentation that perhaps what they are used to.

"Overworked and underpaid" is the lament of many HIM directors who participated in HCPro’s annual Medical Records Briefing salary survey. 58% of 310 respondents say members of the profession are not fairly compensated.