Pass the AHIMA Documentation Integrity Practitioner (CDI) CDIP Questions and answers with CertsForce

An appropriate first step to address physicians with low query response rates is an educational session between the clinical documentation integrity practitioner (CDIP) and physician because it provides an opportunity to explain the purpose and benefits of the query process, to identify and address any barriers or challenges to responding, and to offer feedback and guidance on how to improve query response rates. An educational session can also help to build rapport and trust between the CDIP and the physician, and to demonstrate respect and professionalism. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

CDIP Exam Content Outline1

CDIP Exam Preparation Guide2

Understanding CDI Metrics3

Administration should respond to this situation by reviewing the record to determine any potential data integrity impact and/or rebilling implications. According to the AHIMA Practice Brief on Managing an Effective Query Process, post-bill queries are generally initiated as a result of an audit or other internal monitor, and healthcare entities can develop a policy regarding whether they will generate post-bill queries and the timeframe following claims generation that queries may be initiated. The practice brief also states that healthcare entities should consider the following three concepts in the development of a post-bill (including query) policy: applying normal course of business guidelines, using payer-specific rules on rebilling timeframes, and determining reliability of query response over time 2. Therefore, administration should review the record to see if the physician’s response to the query affects the quality of care, patient safety, severity of illness, risk of mortality, or reimbursement, and if so, whether it is appropriate and feasible to rebill the account based on the payer’s rules and the normal course of business guidelines. Administration should also evaluate the reasons for the physician’s delayed response and provide feedback and education to prevent future occurrences.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 133 3 2: AHIMA Practice Brief: Managing an Effective Query Process 4

Reviewing and analyzing physician query content on a regular basis assists in identifying gaps in skills and knowledge of the clinical documentation integrity practitioners (CDIPs) and the providers. By evaluating the quality, accuracy, appropriateness, and effectiveness of the queries, the CDIPs can identify areas of improvement, education, and feedback for themselves and the providers. Reviewing and analyzing physician query content can also help to ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices, as well as to monitor query outcomes and trends2 References: 1: https://www.ahima.org/media/owmhxbv1/cdip_contentoutline_2023_final.pdf  2: https://my.ahima.org/store/product?id=67077

The coding reference that should be used to access the general rules for the ICD-10-CM Includes Notes and Excludes Notes 1 and 2 is the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. This document provides the conventions and instructions for the proper use of the ICD-10-CM classification system, including the definitions and examples of the Includes Notes and Excludes Notes 1 and 2. The document is updated annually by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), and is available online at 2. The other coding references listed are not specific to ICD-10-CM or do not contain the general rules for the Includes Notes and Excludes Notes 1 and 2.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 133 3 2: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2021 4

A yes/no query may not be used in circumstances where only clinical indicators of a condition are present, and the condition/diagnosis has not been documented in the health record because it may lead to leading or suggesting a diagnosis that is not supported by the provider’s documentation. A yes/no query should only be used when there is clear and consistent documentation of a condition/diagnosis in the health record, and the query is seeking confirmation or denial of a specific fact or detail related to that condition/diagnosis. A multiple-choice, open-ended, or verbal query may be more appropriate to allow the provider to choose from a list of possible diagnoses, provide additional information, or explain the clinical reasoning behind the documentation. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

CDIP Exam Content Outline1

CDIP Exam Preparation Guide2

AHIMA Practice Brief: Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice3

The physician needs to document the associated diagnosis and the clinical rationale in the progress notes for the CDIP to record the query as answered and agreed because this is the best way to ensure that the health record reflects the patient’s condition and treatment accurately and completely. The associated diagnosis is the condition that caused or contributed to the blood loss and the need for transfusion, such as acute blood loss anemia, hemorrhage, or trauma. The clinical rationale is the explanation of how the diagnosis is supported by the clinical indicators, such as laboratory values, vital signs, symptoms, or procedures. Documenting the associated diagnosis and the clinical rationale in the progress notes also helps to avoid any confusion or inconsistency with other parts of the health record, such as the discharge summary or the coding. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

CDIP Exam Content Outline1

CDIP Exam Preparation Guide2

Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update)3

A noncompliant multiple-choice query is one that does not include at least four options because it may limit the provider’s choice and suggest a preferred answer. A compliant multiple-choice query should include at least four options that are clinically significant, reasonable, and plausible based on the clinical indicators and documentation in the health record. The options should also be listed in alphabetical order to avoid any bias or preference. A compliant multiple-choice query should also allow the provider to add their own response if none of the options are appropriate, and include the option of “unable to determine” if the provider cannot make a definitive diagnosis based on the available information. (CDIP Exam Preparation Guide)

References:

CDIP Exam Content Outline1

CDIP Exam Preparation Guide2

Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice (2019 Update)3

The most appropriate action in this case is to query the provider to document the etiology of pneumonia, which is pseudomonas bacteria. This is because the etiology of pneumonia affects the coding and classification of the condition, as well as the severity of illness, risk of mortality, and reimbursement. According to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting, pneumonia should be coded by type whenever possible, and if the type of pneumonia is not documented, then the default code is J18.9, Pneumonia, unspecified organism 2. However, if the type of pneumonia is documented, then a more specific code can be assigned, such as J15.1, Pneumonia due to Pseudomonas 3. Therefore, querying the provider to document the etiology of pneumonia will improve the accuracy and completeness of the documentation and coding, and reflect the true clinical picture of the patient.

References: 1: AHIMA CDIP Exam Prep, Fourth Edition, p. 139 4 2: ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2021, Section I.C.9.a 3: ICD-10-CM Code J15.1 - Pneumonia due to Pseudomonas

The provider agreement rate is the percentage of queries that result in a change in the documentation or coding that is consistent with the query. It is a measure of the accuracy and appropriateness of the queries, as well as the provider’s acceptance of the CDI program’s recommendations. A high provider agreement rate indicates that the CDI practitioners are asking relevant and compliant queries that improve the quality and specificity of the documentation. The other options are not directly related to the credibility of the queries or the success of the CDI program. The CDI agreement rate is the percentage of queries that agree with the coder’s final DRG assignment. The CDI query rate is the percentage of records that generate a query from the CDI practitioner. The provider response rate is the percentage of queries that receive a response from the provider.