2026 ICD-10 Expert for SNF and IRF: Simplifying Diagnosis Coding, PDPM Compliance, and Documentation Requirements for Post-Acute Care Professionals

The Complete Guide to SNF and IRF Coding Under PDPM Master post-acute care coding with the only comprehensive resource designed specifically for skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation facilities in the PDPM era. Why You Need This Book Since PDPM's 2019 implementation, diagnosis coding has become the primary driver of SNF reimbursement—yet most coding books focus on acute care. This guide fills that critical gap with practical, specific guidance for the coding challenges you face daily. Written by expert Stefanie D. Brown (CCS, CRC, 20+ years SNF/IRF experience), this book combines technical precision with real-world practicality. What You'll Master 2026 ICD-10-CM Fundamentals Current code updates and their SNF/IRF impact Code structure, conventions, and guidelines Seventh characters, laterality, and specificity requirements Common mistakes and how to avoid them PDPM & IRF-PPS Payment Models How coding drives all five PDPM payment components Clinical category mapping and comorbidity calculations IRF RIC classification and tier assignment Real examples showing payment impact Condition-Specific Coding Detailed guidance for your most common diagnoses: Neurological: Stroke sequelae, hemiplegia, aphasia, dysphagia Orthopedic: Joint replacements, fractures, arthritis Cardiac/Pulmonary: Heart failure, COPD, respiratory failure Wounds: Pressure ulcers with staging requirements Diabetes: Complications and specificity Mental Health: Depression, dementia, delirium Each includes: coding guidelines, documentation requirements, PDPM implications, and query strategies. Clinical Documentation Improvement Building effective CDI programs Query best practices for compliance Physician education strategies Ready-to-use templates and tools Technology & Tools EHR integration and workflows Computer-assisted coding (CAC) evaluation Encoder selection and optimization AI in coding: opportunities and limitations Compliance & Quality Audit tools and techniques Accuracy measurement Staying current with updates Professional development resources Who This Book Is For Medical coders in SNFs/IRFs CDI specialists Health information managers MDS coordinators Coding educators Compliance officers Students entering post-acute care Perfect for both newcomers and experienced coders. Post-Acute Care Focused: Every example specific to SNF/IRF settings Practical: Real cases, templates, and workflows you can implement immediately Current: 2026 codes, latest PDPM/IRF-PPS methodologies Ethical: Emphasizes accuracy and compliance, never manipulation Complete: 17 chapters from fundamentals to advanced topics Key Features Real SNF/IRF case examples PDPM payment impact for every major condition Query templates for documentation gaps Audit checklists and tools Quick reference tables Step-by-step workflows "Common mistakes" sections Comprehensive appendices What You'll Achieve Confidence coding complex cases accurately Efficiency through proven workflows Compliance with regulations Skills to improve documentation Career advancement through expertise Facility impact on revenue and quality