ILHIMA | Coding Series with Lynn Kuehn and Dianna Foley

Navigating the complex world of trauma coding can be daunting, especially when guidelines don’t fully clarify how to code certain cases. It’s common to second-guess whether you’ve accurately captured the details of a multiple trauma case or to feel uncertain when confronted with challenging, atypical trauma scenarios that demand precise code assignments.

This virtual workshop is designed to empower coding professionals at all experience levels. With practical insights and real-world examples, you’ll develop the skills and confidence needed to accurately code complex trauma cases and effectively interpret detailed documentation. Learners should attend prepare with code books or an encoder to code the cases throughout the session. Learners should also have the Case Workbook ready to review all the case documentation.

Agenda – Thursday, August 20, 2026

1:00 pm – 2:25 pm | Decoding Damage: Illuminating the Path to Mastery in ICD-10-CM Trauma Coding (Chapter 19 with Dianna Foley, RHIA, CCS, CDIP, CHPS) (Clinical Foundations)

Dive into the intricacies of trauma coding in this illuminating session designed to demystify ICD-10-CM Chapter 19. Participants will explore how the coding structure effectively captures injuries and burns, gaining a clear understanding of the chapter’s purpose and framework. Through detailed interpretation of the coding conventions and guidelines, attendees will develop sharper coding precision. The session will also emphasize the importance of interpreting clinical documentation to correctly assign and sequence codes. To solidify learning, complex trauma case studies will be dissected and decoded, empowering coders with the skills and confidence to apply best practices in real-world scenarios.

At the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. 1. 1. Shed light on the structure and intent of ICD-10-CM Chapter 19 by exploring how trauma codes capture injuries and burns.
      2. Ignite clarity in applying coding conventions—such as laterality, 7th character extensions, and episode of care—through focused guideline interpretation.
      3. Illuminate connections between clinical documentation and accurate code sequencing.
      4. Fuel mastery in trauma coding by decoding complex case studies and applying best practices with precision and confidence.

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Mapping the Mechanism: Sparking Insight into External Cause Coding with ICD-10-CM (Chapter 20 with Lynn Kuehn, MS, RHIA, CCS-P, FAHIMA) (Data Structure, Content, and Information Governance)

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of ICD-10-CM external cause coding for the mechanism of injury (cause), place, activity, and external cause status. The discussion will help you understand how Chapter 20 is organized and provide tools for easier and more accurate code assignment. We’ll review all the details and work through the required external cause codes for each of the cases coded during the workshop, all intended to help coders tell the complete story for injury-related encounters using ICD-10-CM.

At the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. 1. 1. Spark recognition of the organization of Chapter 20 of ICD-10-CM and master key indexing methods to locate the correct external cause code.
      2. Stimulate understanding of the mechanism of injury (cause), place, activity, and external cause status (PAE) codes.
      3. Fuel knowledge of the assignment of 7th characters and the correct sequencing of codes, including the proper use of PAE codes.
      4. Trigger application of the ICD-10-CM hierarchy for external cause coding.
      5. Kindle the ability to assign accurate codes to cases presented during the program to fully tell the story of injury-related encounters.

Agenda – Thursday, August 27, 2026

1:00 pm– 2:25 pm | Igniting Precision: ICD-10-PCS Coding for Complex Trauma Interventions (with Lynn Kuehn) (Clinical Foundations)

Unlock the complexities of trauma coding in this hands-on program designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to accurately capture injury-related procedures. We’ll work through challenging cases involving traumatic injuries to the face, soft tissue, musculoskeletal system, including coding for fractures, burns, stabbings, and traumatic amputations. This session will help ensure precise coding that reflects the full scope of trauma care.

At the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. 1. 1. Recognize the objectives involved in the cases selected for discussion to ignite correct assignment of root operation(s).
      2. Utilize the ICD-10-PCS guidelines, reference keys within the system, and other resources to fuel accurate code assignment for all procedures included in the cases.
      3. Examine operative report documentation to spark correct assignment of ICD-10-PCS codes for cases involving trauma-related surgical procedures.

2:30 pm – 4:00 pm | Kindling Clarity: Honing CPT® Coding in the Heat of Trauma Cases (with Dianna Foley) (Clinical Foundations)

Step into the fast-paced world of trauma coding with this high-impact session focused on sharpening CPT^® coding skill. Attendees will ignite their understanding of CPT coding structure by examining procedural codes central to trauma care. Participants will learn to assign CPT codes with increased accuracy and confidence. The session will challenge coders to apply critical thinking in complex, high-intensity procedural scenarios, refining their ability to make precise coding decisions. With a case-based approach that emphasizes clarity and correctness, this session fuels the expertise needed to thrive in the demanding realm of trauma coding.

At the conclusion of the session, attendees will be able to:

1. 1. 1. Fan their flames of understanding by dissecting CPT coding structure and key procedural code groupings relevant to trauma care.
      2. Forge accuracy in trauma-related CPT code assignment by mastering bundling rules, modifiers, and surgical package guidelines.
      3. Stoke their critical thinking skills by navigating high-pressure procedural scenarios and determining the most accurate CPT codes.
      4. Fuel their coding confidence through case-based application that refines precision, speed, and decision-making in trauma contexts.