subject: Ensure Preparedness With Communicate Your Vendors [print this page] As a medical coder, it's high time you started preparing for ICD-10 codes. There are a lot of myths doing the rounds as far as these ICD-10 codes are concerned. For instance, one myth being that medical coders should leave the preparations to their doctors and vendors and that they are not required to be involved.
But the reality is something else. You as the coder should be involved when the practices communicate with information system vendors (for EMR, claims processing, and the like) about their plans for the new code set implementation. Changes in IT systems and processes normally call for a lot of work, testing, training, and cooperation from the physician's staff. If you start conversations early, budgets are determined and communication is open, then the entire communications will be easier to tackle. As such, you will need to work with your software vendors ahead of time to confirm that no issues will exist with claims submissions using ICD-10. First you should check that your vendors are ready for the transition to the new 5010 form, which is making way for the ICD-10 code set.
The details: The HIPAA 5010 form will increase the field size for diagnosis codes from five bytes to seven bytes, allowing for ease of use when the ICD-10 conversion takes place. In addition, it increases the number of diagnosis codes allowed on a claim. The 5010 form will allow ICD-9 codes and/or ICD-10 code values it'll not solely accept ICD-10 codes.
CMS recommends that you contact your system vendors straightaway to get assurance that your licensing pact includes regulatory updates. Having these updates will allow implementation to the new form much easier. Enquire if the upgrade will include the 5010 versions of the new transactions, and if so, inquire as to when the vendor plans to upgrade your system prior to the deadline of January 1, 2012.
For more tips to make the transition from ICD 9 to ICD-10, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a site comes with an ICD 9 to ICD-10 conversion tool, ICD 9 bridge, to help you make a smooth transition.
