2026 MNHIMA Fall Coding Symposium

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Open, Closed, Excision, Resection, or Bypass? Demystifying ICD-10-PCS for Abdominal Procedures

Leigh Poland, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CIC

Abdominal surgeries can feel like a PCS maze. Is it a resection or an excision? Was that exploratory laparotomy separately reportable? When does a lysis of adhesions count as a coded procedure? This session breaks down the complexities of coding abdominal surgeries and provides clarity on root operations, approach, and documentation requirements.
We’ll walk through common general surgery procedures—appendectomies, bowel resections, exploratory laparotomies, and drain placements—and highlight where coders and CDI specialists run into trouble. With case-based examples, attendees will learn to apply PCS logic accurately while identifying missed coding opportunities and documentation gaps.

Learning Objectives:

1. Accurately apply ICD-10-PCS root operations for GI and abdominal procedures, including Excision, Resection, Drainage, and Repair
2. Distinguish between incidental procedures (e.g., adhesiolysis) and reportable interventions
3. Understand when to assign codes for exploratory laparotomy, drain placement, or repair after resection
4. Clarify documentation elements that support correct body part, approach, and qualifier selections
5. Identify opportunities for provider education and query improvement in abdominal surgical documentation

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Breathe Easier When Reporting Pneumonia and Influenza

Shelley Safian, PhD, RHIA, MAOM/HIM

Join us for an engaging and practical webinar focused on pneumonia and influenza diagnosis coding. We’ll break down the coding process, review common coding challenges, and explore how to use provider documentation and coding guidelines to determine the most accurate codes.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a better understanding of how to approach pneumonia and influenza coding with greater confidence, accuracy, and attention to detail. Bring your questions and get ready to make respiratory diagnosis coding a little easier!

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the specific pathogen to determine the code for Pneumonia
2. Examine the documentation for details required for the correct code for Influenza

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Mastering the Details: Accurate Stroke Diagnosis Coding & Documentation Integrity

Barb Miller, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, AHIMA Approved Revenue Cycle Trainer

This session examines the critical role of clinical documentation in supporting compliant, accurate diagnosis coding for cerebrovascular events. Following recent audits where the Office of Inspector General (OIG) identified widespread noncompliance—finding that nearly all sampled acute stroke claims lacked supporting documentation—stroke coding has been designated a high-risk compliance target.
Participants will review clinical definitions, ICD-10-CM guidelines, and key documentation criteria required to substantiate acute, past, and related cerebrovascular conditions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Regulatory Context & Risk Areas: Review recent OIG audit findings and examine why acute stroke diagnoses face increased scrutiny.
2. Stroke Classifications & Clinical Indicators: Differentiate types of cerebrovascular accidents (e.g., ischemic, hemorrhagic) and identify the specific clinical documentation required to substantiate each code.
3. Associated Diagnoses & Complications: Accurately identify and report concurrent conditions, underlying etiologies, and related acute manifestations.
4. Sequelae vs. Personal History: Apply coding guidelines to correctly distinguish between active neurological deficits (sequelae/late effects) and personal history of stroke (Z-codes).