Selecting the Principal Diagnosis, by nationally-recognized clinical documentation authority, Cynthia Tang, RHIA, CCS, provides in-depth instruction on accurately determining principal diagnosis and resultant DRG assignment. This online course is helpful for CDI Professionals and Coders.
Selecting the Principal Diagnosis
Cynthia Tang, RHIA, CCS
$99.00
CEUs: 1 1 AHIMA 1 AAPC
Included in eLearning Library. Price per person. Group rates available.Overview
Codes change yearly! We take seriously our obligation to provide you with accurate and up-to-date instruction. This course is updated for FY 2026.
Selecting the Principal Diagnosis, by nationally-recognized clinical documentation authority, Cynthia Tang, RHIA, CCS, provides in-depth instruction on accurately determining principal diagnosis and resultant DRG assignment. This online course is helpful for CDI Professionals and Coders.
Course topics include:
- A three-step process for correctly identifying the principal diagnosis and assigning the DRG
- Key considerations when choosing the principal diagnosis
- Discussion of select guidelines for assigning the principal diagnosis
- The role of coders and CDI in determining the principal diagnosis
Bonus! Flowchart for determining the Principal Diagnosis and DRG assignment with easy to follow steps to guide decision-making
Hands-on Practice! Nine carefully selected real-world case studies are used to illustrate the challenges of principal diagnosis selection
Selecting the Principal Diagnosis
Principal Diagnosis and DRG Assignment
- Definition of Principal Diagnosis
- DRG assignment is highly influenced by the Principal Diagnosis
Steps to Determining the Principal Diagnosis
- Step 1: Definition and Admission Reason
- Step 2: Surgical Procedure Consideration
- Step 3: Co-Equal Diagnoses
Coding Guidelines That Impact PDX Selection
- Etiology/Manifestation Convention
- Treatment Plan Not Carried Out
- Cases from Outpatient Setting
Who Determines the Principal Diagnosis?
Nine Case Studies
- GI Bleeding and Acute Blood Loss Anemia
- Encephalopathy due to UTI
- Uremia Not Treated with Dialysis
- Acute Kidney Injury and Hip Pain
- Multiple Trauma with Surgery
- Encephalopathy vs. Hypernatremia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Sepsis vs. Pulmonary Embolism
- Principal Diagnosis Selection
The level of effort to complete this course, start to finish, is equivalent to 1 CEU and should take you approximately 1-3 hours to complete. Remember: You have access to the course materials for the full 4-week enrollment period and we encourage you to re-review any materials that are helpful to you.
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion of the course work, student will be able to download a Libman Education Certificate of Completion. The Certificate of Completion will list the course as awarding 1 CEU.
AHIMA: 1 CEU
This course has been approved for continuing education unit(s) (CEUs) for use in fulfilling the continuing education requirements of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Granting of Approved CEUs from AHIMA does not constitute endorsement of the program content or its program provider.
AAPC: 1 CEU
This course has the prior approval of AAPC for continuing education hours. Granting of prior approval in no way constitutes endorsement by AAPC of the program content or the program sponsor.
- WebinarPlus™ multimedia and interactive online training format promotes engagement with challenging materials while offering independent self-study.
- Downloadable and printable “Course Highlights” saves time! This active learning tool assists with mastery of the course content.
- Teaching methods including audio and video files, diagrams, and animations to accommodate different learning styles. Where appropriate, the Merck Manual Professional Version supplements course materials with in-depth descriptions of diagnoses and/or procedures.
- Knowledge checks and/or final assessment ensure mastery of material.
- Online Flexibility! Materials available via secure Learning Management System (LMS). Work at your own pace — save time and travel costs.
- Earn Libman Education Certificate of Completion and CEUs.
- To receive CEU credit, students must achieve a passing rate on the course assessment(s).
- Course is self-paced. For planning purposes, assume 1-3 hours required for each CEU.
- Unlimited course access during enrollment period. For courses offering greater than one CEU, enrollment period is 16 weeks. For courses offering one or fewer CEUs, enrollment period is 4 weeks. Courses purchased as a bundle or package may have a longer enrollment period.
- Extensions to the enrollment period are available.
- Price listed is per person/per course. Group rates available upon request.
Cynthia Tang, RHIA, CCS
Cynthia brings over 30 years of experience in health information management, coding and clinical documentation, and clinical resource management. For the past twenty years she has traveled to hospitals throughout the country to assess their processes for managing health information and clinical documentation and to provide her much-sought after expertise in redesigning operations to promote better patient care and hospital financial health.
Her focus is on workflow design and improving clinical documentation with a view to optimizing reimbursement, ensuring compliance, and improving quality and pay for performance measures.
“I’m pleasantly surprised at your response … really didn’t think I would receive anything at all, so, thank you! I believe that alone says a lot for Libman Education. I would recommend you to other coding professionals.” — Jennifer Jones, CPC
“Thank you! Your company provides outstanding service and we appreciate it!” — Jim Herren, RHIA, CCS, Parkland Health & Hospital System
“LOVEEE Libman! Very happy with the classes I’ve taken.” — Linda C.
“I love the courses at Libman Education.” — Joanne S., CCS
“Any of Libman Education’s courses are worth time and cost. Always walk away with a useable, clarity or reinforcement of subject matter.”
“I greatly appreciate this support and outstanding customer service!” — former student
“Thanks again – you really make this easy and I appreciate how accommodating and understanding you are to meet our needs.” — Winnona V., MHA, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, CCS-P
“Thank you for all your help. Your team has always been open and dependable for clear advice and guidance. … [Y]our group has always shown they care about the student.” – former student
Required Resources:
- ICD-10-CM Code Book – 2026 or students may elect to use electronic files
Recommended Resources:
Train your entire team and Save Big! Discount automatically applied at checkout.
| How Many In Your Group? | Group Discount % |
|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Price |
| 2-4 | 5% Discount |
| 5-20 | 10% Discount |
| 21+ | Contact Us for Your Custom Price Quote |
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