ACDIS/AHIMA Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice—2026 Update

This version of Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice supersedes all previous versions, including the 2022 version, and reflects standards available as of its publication date.

This practice brief, developed by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and the Association of Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialists (ACDIS), an HCPro professional community, serves as an essential resource for coding and clinical documentation integrity (CDI) professionals and for all others who participate in the query and documentation clarification process across all healthcare settings.

When establishing a compliant query practice, it is essential to use this brief as a foundational resource. The practice brief’s guidance applies equally across inpatient, outpatient, ambulatory, and professional fee environments, with specific considerations for outpatient and ambulatory contexts noted throughout.

Note: A free informational webinar will be held on September 30, 2026, 1-2 p.m. Eastern, highlighting the changes. Register for free now by clicking here!