Agenda

8:00 am – 8:30 am	Attendee Check-in
8:30 am – 10:00 am	Decoding Damage: Illuminating the Path to Mastery in ICD-10-CM Trauma Coding (Chapter 19)
10:00 am – 11:30 pm	Mapping the Mechanism: Sparking Insight into External Cause Coding with ICD-10-CM (Chapter 20)
11:30 am – 12:00 pm	Lunch (included)
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm	Igniting Precision: ICD-10-PCS Coding for Complex Trauma Interventions
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm	Kindling Clarity: Honing CPT® Coding in the Heat of Trauma Cases

Location

Continuing Education

CEUs: 6 Total Program

Domains: 4.5 CEUs Clinical Foundations and 1.5 CEUs Data Structure, Content, and Information Governance

Session Descriptions

Dive into the intricacies of trauma coding in this illuminating session designed to demystify ICD-10-CM Chapter 19. Attendees will explore how the coding structure effectively captures injuries and burns, gaining a clear understanding of the chapter’s purpose and framework. By carefully interpreting the coding conventions and guidelines, attendees will achieve greater coding precision. The session will also emphasize the importance of interpreting clinical documentation to correctly assign and sequence medical codes. To solidify learning, complex trauma case studies will be dissected and decoded, empowering medical 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:

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

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 attendees understand how Chapter 20 is organized and provide tools for easier and more accurate code assignments. The details will be reviewed and worked through as the required external cause codes for each case are determined during the session. This is all intended to help medical coders tell the complete story for injury-related encounters using ICD-10-CM.

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

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

Unlock the complexities of trauma coding in this hands-on session designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills to accurately capture injury-related procedures. Challenging cases involving traumatic injuries to the face, soft tissue, musculoskeletal system, including coding for fractures, burns, stabbings and traumatic amputations will be worked through. This session will help ensure precise procedure coding reflects the full scope of trauma care.

Attendees should come prepared with a 2025 ICD-10 PCS code book or laptop (with encoder software) or PCS file from CMS, found at: CMS.Gov to code procedures during the program

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

• Recognize the objectives involved in the cases selected for discussion to ignite correct assignment of root operation(s)
• 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
• Examine operative report documentation to spark the correct assignment of ICD-10-PCS codes for cases involving trauma-related surgical procedures

Step into the fast-paced world of trauma coding with this high-impact session focused on sharpening CPT® coding skills. Attendees will ignite their understanding of CPT coding structure by examining procedural codes central to trauma care. Join this session and learn to assign CPT codes with increased accuracy and confidence. The session will challenge medical 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:

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

---

In-person eLearning Program Registration Fees and Details

Registration for this program includes in-person classroom instruction with subject matter experts, their materials, session recordings to reference in CHIA’s LMS, and a pre-selected box lunch. Seats are limited, so it is recommended that you register in advance. Register by April 29 for the best price! On-demand access will only be provided for the Sunday program and not the CHIACON sessions.

.

Registration Fees

Save $50 off the regular program fee if you register on or before 6 PM PT on April 29, 2026.

Two-day Coding Special

Calling all Medical Coders - Earn up to 12 CEUs in two days! This special combined ticket includes Sunday’s Clinical Coding Symposium: Excellence in Trauma Coding: A Masterclass in Precision and Nuance, and CHIACON registration for Monday only (Single-Day ticket). Monday’s program schedule includes several Clinical Foundation sessions, as well as other medical coding and compliance sessions you don’t want to miss.

Save $50 off the regular program fee if you register on or before 6 PM PT on April 29, 2026. See the special combo pricing below:

AHIMA Professional Members in California Only: AHIMA members should consider dual membership with California. To obtain the best pricing, upgrade to a CHIA Professional Membership before your CHIACON purchase. Visit californiahia.org/membership for more details. Existing AHIMA members can sign in to CHIA’s website portal to upgrade.

How to Register

To purchase this eLearning Program online select register now. Full payment is required with the online registration. Alternatively, if your employer plans to pay for you to attend, you must complete the eLearning Program Order Form and submit completed form along with a copy of the employer's approved check request/purchase order form. Over-the-phone registrations will not be accepted.

Group Discounts

Groups of five (5) or more employees may be eligible for a discount when registering for the same eLearning Program at the same time. Click here for more information on registering your team

In-person Event Policy

CHIA is committed to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all meeting participants, and as such, participants are expected to abide by CHIA’s Meeting & Event policies. Upon registration, participants will be asked to acknowledge they have read CHIA’s Meeting & Event policies accepting personal responsibility and assumption of risk to ensure a safe environment.