subject: Icd - 10 Codes Three Important Details You Need To Know [print this page] In order to be ready for ICD-10, you will need to implement the new 5010 claim form first.
As you gear up for this change, here are three key details you need to learn now so that your practice is ready when the implementation deadline rolls around.
Do not postpone preparation because you expect a delay
Now isnt too soon to start thinking about ICD-10. The more familiar you are with the changes, the smoother the transition will be. Although you shouldnt begin your intensive, in-depth ICD-10 training until six to nine months prior to implementation, you can gear up in other ways now.
No exclusions: The ICD-10 deadline applies to you no matter where you work be it hospital, ambulatory surgical center, physician practice, and the like.
Make your doctors ready
Presently CMS publishes about 14,000 ICD-9 codes; however therell be over 69,000 ICD-10 codes. The additional codes will allow you to provide more detail in describing diagnoses and procedures. As because ICD-10 codes will often be more detailed and specific when compared to ICD-9 codes, you may need to urge your doctor to be more detailed in his documentation.
While ICD-10 will call for some improvement in physician documentation, the higher the quality of your documentation now, the easier itll be to avoid unspecified codes, and the quicker youll find the spot on ICD-10 code.
Myth: One of the major concerns about ICD-10 is the increased number of codes making ICD-10 really difficult to use. But that shouldnt be the case at present. While your urologists documentation will need to be detailed and clear, the diagnosis code set will not be more difficult to make use of.
The Good news is that the rules for assigning ICD-10 codes, as they presently stand, are very similar to the rules for the existing ICD-9.
Communicate with vendors to ensure readiness
You should be involved when practices communicate with information system vendors about their plans for ICD-10 implementation.
To make a smooth transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10, sign up for a one-stop Medical coding website and have access to an ICD-10 Bridge.
