Hierarchy of Coding Authority: The Key to Effective Denial Defense

By Lynn Kuehn, MS, RHIA, CCS-P, FAHIMA|2026-03-20T05:30:55-04:00March 14th, 2026|Coders' Corner|0 Comments

Denial defense is strongest when it is rooted in a clear hierarchy of authority and a consistent, repeatable method for explaining how codes were chosen.

This LibmanLightbox™, by nationally recognized coding authority Lynn Kuehn, MS, RHIA, CCS-P, FAHIMA, explores how to anchor appeals in the ICD‑10‑CM/PCS classifications and Official Guidelines, position Coding Clinic correctly within that hierarchy, and construct written rationales that both defend coding accuracy and support organizational compliance.

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About the Author: Lynn Kuehn, MS, RHIA, CCS-P, FAHIMA

Lynn Kuehn is president of Kuehn Consulting, LLC, and a nationally recognized authority on ICD-10-PCS coding. Lynn was elected to the AHIMA Board of Directors, served as faculty for the original ICD-10 “Train-the-Trainers” program, and authored or co-authored several of AHIMA’s most popular books including ICD-10-PCS: An Applied Approach, recognized as the “go-to” resource for learning and mastering ICD-10-PCS. As a Subject Matter Expert with Libman Education, Lynn’s unique and engaging teaching methods as well as her leadership on the importance of accuracy and efficiency in coding is recognized by clients and students throughout the country.

Hierarchy of Coding Authority: The Key to Effective Denial Defense