Talk Ten Tuesdays

H.R. 1, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), is set to reshape hospital finances by cutting an estimated $840 billion from Medicaid and Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) funding. As hospitals absorb these losses, many are tightening budgets, reducing staff, and facing renewed labor tensions.For the first time, clinical documentation integrity (CDI) teams are part of this unionized landscape, connecting frontline workforce issues directly to reimbursement and data accuracy. When strikes or slowdowns occur, they can disrupt queries, coding, and claims, creating both financial and compliance risks. Together, these forces reveal how economic and workforce realities are now intertwined across every level of healthcare.Reporting the lead story during the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays, the popular Internet broadcast produced by ICD10monitor, will be Penny Jefferson, CDI Manager for UC Davis Health.The broadcast will also feature these instantly recognizable panelists, who will r

Have you been told that Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA) patients who have difficulties with activities of daily living (ADLs) are appropriate for inpatient status if their hospital stay crosses a second midnight? What direction have you received about “discharge effectuation?” Are your physicians keen on placing the majority of their patients into inpatient status because they want to prevent delivery of an expensive hospital bill? During the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays, Dr. Juliet Ugarte Hopkins, the Chief Medical Officer for Phoenix Medical Management, will report on issues that have captured her interest as she discusses these, and other hot topics of misdirection and misinformation often encountered in the healthcare landscape.The popular broadcast will also feature these instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical

Join us this coming Tuesday, Oct. 14, when Talk Ten Tuesday will bring you an exclusive interview with two nationally recognized healthcare leaders: Thea Campbell and Mackenzie Higgins. Thea Campbell is the 2026 AHIMA President-Elect and Mackenzie Higgins is the 2025 AHIMA Emerging Star award recipient.The popular broadcast will also feature these instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical documentation integrity (CDI) updates.Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the news that is happening at the intersection of medical record auditing and the SDoH.The Coding Report: Christine Geiger, Assistant Vice President of Acute and Post-Acute Coding Services for First Class Solutions, will report on the latest coding news.News Desk: Timothy Powell, ICD10monitor national corres

The revenue cycle helps keep hospital revenue flowing. But sometimes, it seems to sputter out, as if not all the cylinders are firing. And that is why the producers of Talk Ten Tuesdays have invited longtime ICD10monitor editorial consultant Dennis Jones, senior director of revenue cycle at the famed Jefferson Health, to be the special guest during the next live edition of the weekly Internet radio broadcast.The popular broadcast will also feature these instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical documentation integrity (CDI) updates.• Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the news that is happening at the intersection of medical record auditing and the SDoH.• The Coding Report: Christine Geiger, Assistant Vice President of Acute and Post-Acute Coding Services for Fi

When the final rule take effect Oct. 1, 2025, coders, providers, and administration leaders will need to adjust to several key changes, including the new MS-DRGs and broad policy changes. And that is why the producers of Talk Ten Tuesday have invited Leigh Poland, vice president of the AGS Health coding service product line to return to the popular Internet broadcast, Talk Ten Tuesday, to report on these significant changes.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical documentation integrity (CDI) updates.• Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the news that is happening at the intersection of medical record auditing and the SDoH.• The Coding Report: Jodi Worthington, with First Class Solutions, will su

Prolonged hospitalizations can result from many different barriers and delays within the hospital setting.However, a new challenge is emerging.And this new hurdle appears to be identified more and more commonly. So, what’s happening?During the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays, Dr. Juliet B. Ugarte Hopkins, Chief Medical Officer at Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will reveal this new culprit that appears to be standing between many a patient and a safe discharge.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical documentation integrity (CDI) updates.• Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the news that is happening at the intersection of medical record auditing and the SDoH.• The Coding Report: Amy Jo

Could sepsis be healthcare’s new frontier?During the next live edition of the popular Internet broadcast, Talk Ten Tuesday, James S. Kennedy, MD, will report on his recent attendance at The Unite for Sepsis symposium, sponsored by the San Diego-based Sepsis Alliance (https://www.sepsis.org). The event was held in Chicago and attracted clinicians, researchers, technologists, and government officials who collaborated to address and solve sepsis’ prevalent and high morbidity and mortality. Dr. Kennedy is expected to report on new technologies and clinical approaches to sepsis and how health information management (HIM) professionals can address sepsis-related diagnosis and data integrity.As an added feature, the legendary Rose T. Dunn, past president and interim CEO for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and current COO for First Class Solutions, will report on RADV audits.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will repo

You waited and waited.Finally, the big day came, and just as quickly, day turned into evening – and there you were with cloudy vision, halos, and difficulty reading. Not to mention the occasional glare.You and about 25 percent of patients experience a common complication following cataract surgery (or, more precisely, “posterior capsule opacity,” or PCO). The good news: the standard treatment is YAG laser capsulotomy (CPT® 66821).The legendary Rose T. Dunn, past president and interim CEO for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and current COO for First Class Solutions, will return to the Talk Ten Tuesdays broadcast to report on this treatment and topic.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• MyTalk: Angela Comfort, veteran healthcare subject-matter expert, will co-host the broadcast. Comfort is the Assistant Vice President of Revenue Integrity for Montefiore Health.• CDI Rep

Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly transitioned from something to expect in the future to the here and now today. The potential for AI in health information is both exciting and daunting. Reporting the lead story during the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesday will be longtime RACmonitor and ICD10monitor contributing author Sharon Easterling.Sharon Easterling will continue her editorial series on artificial intelligence and medical record coding.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• MyTalk: Angela Comfort, veteran healthcare subject-matter expert, will co-host the long-running and popular weekly Internet broadcast. Comfort is the Assistant Vice President of Revenue Integrity for Montefiore Health.• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical documentation integrity (CDI) updates.• Social Determinant

At one time, a physician advisor in a hospital was a rarity. That was then, but this is now, with many healthcare systems having not just one physician advisor, but often many on staff. Does this emerging need signal the deployment of a new position within the physician advisory service team?To learn more, ICD10monitor producers have invited Dr. Juliet B. Ugarte Hopkins to explain when and how this might be accomplished.Dr. Ugarte Hopkins, the chief medical officer for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will be the special guest during the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesday.The popular weekly Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Senior Director of Clinical Policy and Education for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest clinical documentation integrity (CDI) updates.• The Coding Report: Christine Geiger, Assistant Vice President of Acute and Post-Acute Coding Services for

Although the proposed rule for the 2026 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) has been released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), mastering the complexities will continue to challenge most coders and coding team members. That is why ICD10monitor producers have asked Dr. James S. Kennedy to join the upcoming edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays: to highlight potentially significant roadblocks that are likely to confront coders as they prepare to implement the new rule that becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025.As a sidebar, Dr. Kennedy, along with nationally recognized coding authority Christine Geiger, will team up for the 2026 IPPS Masterclass series, taking place live Aug. 13, 14, and 15.The popular weekly Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Director of clinical documentation integrity (CDI) for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest CDI updates.• The Co

During the next live edition of the popular Talk Ten Tuesday Internet broadcast, you’ll learn how artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous coding are quickly reshaping the day-to-day work of coders.From inpatient DRG suggestions to outpatient evaluation and management (E&M) automation, these tools speed up workflows, reduce errors, and help prevent costly denials, according to Penny Jefferson, the special guest for the Internet program, produced by ICD10monitor.You’ll also learn the human side of automation—how coders remain essential for complex decision making, quality assurance, and accurate clinical representation.The popular weekly Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Director of CDI for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest CDI updates.• The Coding Report: Amy Jo Combs, with First Class Solutions, will substitute for Christine Geiger to report on the latest c

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidental falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, with more than 1 in 4 older adults reporting falls every year.During the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesday, Dr. James S. Kennedy will discuss the clinical concept of the “fragility fracture,” and how the under-documentation of fragility fractures results in inaccurate ICD-10-CM coding, adversely affecting Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MS-DRGs, hospital-acquired conditions (HACs), and other quality measures. Be sure that your coding supervisor, clinical documentation integrity (CDI) director, and quality teams listen in to partner collectively with the medical staff with identifying this prevalent condition.The popular weekly Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, In

Substance abuse is a pervasive issue with profound implications for hospitals.It has been estimated that up to 25 percent of hospitalized patients have a substance abuse disorder. And up to 44 percent of these patients abuse some substance during hospitalization. The annual estimated hospital cost for treating substance abuse disorders is as high as $13 billion.But it’s not limited to patients, according to physician and attorney Dr. John K. Hall, who will be the special guest during the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays.According to Dr. Hall, estimates show that up to 15 percent of physicians and 20 percent of nurses also have a substance abuse disorder. It affects patient outcomes, hospital operations, financial health, and the broader healthcare system. The complexity of substance use disorders requires a nuanced understanding of diagnostic categories, accurate coding, and awareness of the legal and employment ramifications.The popular weekly Internet broadcast will also feature these additional insta

Attention, calling all coders!Is your hospital compliantly following all the the steps in the Condition Code W2 process?It’s imperative to understand all the details that must be followed, no matter how complex and daunting.Implementation is mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Participation is not optional. So take a moment and ask yourself: are your attending physicians re-billing for Medicare Part B patients?During the next live edition of the popular live Internet broadcast Talk Ten Tuesdays, the Medical Director of Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., Dr. Juliet Ugarte Hopkins, will walk you and your team through the requirements that need to be followed for Medicare Part B re-billing.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the news that is happening at the interse

Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly transitioned from something to expect in the future to the here and now today. The potential for AI in health information is both exciting and daunting. Reporting the lead story during the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesday will be longtime RACmonitor and ICD10monitor contributing author Sharon Easterling.Sharon Easterling is slated to create an editorial series on artificial intelligence. Her report on this topic will be a preview of what readers and listeners will learn during her series.The popular Internet broadcast will also feature these additional instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• Social Determinants of Health: Tiffany Ferguson, CEO for Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the news that is happening at the intersection of medical record auditing and the SDoH;• The Coding Report: Christine Geiger, Assistant Vice President of Acute and Post-Acute Coding Services for First Class Solutions, will report

As state laws, federal regulations, and insurance policies continue to evolve, healthcare organizations face growing demands to ensure that gender-affirming care is appropriately documented and reported.Reporting on these serious coding challenges and the dire consequences of failing to achieve compliance during the next edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays will be senior healthcare consultant Penny Jefferson, the special guest for the broadcast coming up at 10 a.m. EST on Tuesday, July 1.The popular Internet broadcast will feature the additional following instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Director of Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest CDI updates;• The Coding Report: Christine Geiger, Assistant Vice President of Acute and Post-Acute Coding Services for First Class Solutions, will report on the latest coding news;• News Desk: Timothy Powell, ICD10monitor national correspondent, will a

Your pets might be doing more than just keeping you company. They could be reshaping your immune system.Early exposure to pets, especially in childhood, may reduce allergies and asthma by diversifying gut bacteria and strengthening immunity, according to Dr. Nick van Terheyden, director of Incremental Health. Dr. Nick is scheduled to be the special guest during the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays, coming up at 10 a.m. EST on Tuesday, June 24.The popular Internet broadcast will feature the additional following instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Director of Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest CDI updates;• The Coding Report: Christine Geiger, Assistant Vice President of Acute and Post-Acute Coding Services for First Class Solutions, will report on the latest coding news;• News Desk: Timothy Powell, ICD10monitor national correspondent, will anchor the Talk Ten Tuesdays News

Could physician advisors become dinosaurs in healthcare, bound for extinction?The role of the physician advisor has developed into an absolute necessity in hospitals of all sizes around the country. As the healthcare landscape rapidly evolves, physician advisors have served as critical players, bridging the gap between confusion and clarity within clinical and administrative functions.Yet, the question remains unanswered: why are only a fraction of physician advisors employed as full-time employees?During the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays, Juliet B. Ugarte Hopkins, MD, Medical Director of Phoenix Medical Management, Inc., will report on the pitfalls of inadvertently diluting the physician advisor’s focus and level of expertise.The popular Internet broadcast will feature the additional following instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Director of clinical documentation integrity (CDI) for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the

One of the largest regional coding organizations in America’s healthcare universe – the California Health Information Association (CHIA) – wrapped its final workshops this past week, with delegates flying home to share their insights on what was considered to be a pivotal experience.The ICD10monitor producers of Talk Ten Tuesdays have secured a rare appearance of CHIA’s past president, Gloryanne Byrant, who agreed to share five key takeaways from the annual conference.During the next live edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays, coming up at 10 a.m. EST on June 10, the popular Internet broadcast will feature the additional following instantly recognizable panelists, who will report more news during their segments:• CDI Report: Cheryl Ericson, Director of CDI for the vaunted Brundage Group, will have the latest CDI updates;• Field Report: Dennis Jones, a veteran Monitor Mondays and Talk Ten Tuesdays contributing editor, will report on the latest developments regarding the revenue cycle. Jones is the administrator of the