ICD-10? of Week: What type of training will providers and staff need for the ICD-10 transition?

Coders in physician practices will need to learn ICD-10 diagnosis coding only, while hospital coders will need to learn both ICD-10 diagnosis and ICD-10 inpatient procedure coding. Take into account that ICD-10 code training may be integrated into the CEUs that certified coders need to maintain their credentials. Go to osteopathic.org for more resources on ICD-10.

Something you should know -Transitioning to ICD-10 can't be done overnight
Transitioning to ICD-10 can't be done overnight.However, the Professional Association of Healthcare Coding Specialists (PAHCS) has verified that professional coders can learn how to use ICD-10 in a couple of hours. According to PAHCS most of the conventions used for deciding which code to use and how to find them are almost identical between ICD-9 and ICD-10.  Providers, insurance companies and coders in the United States have been using ICD-9 since it was published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1978. Physicians are comfortable documenting to ICD-9 standards. ICD-10 represents a major change, and change is never easy. Start learning the ICD-10 codes and using ICD-10 documentation standards now this way mistakes can be made, found and fixed. Waiting to make or fix these mistakes till ICD-10 codes go into effect on October 1, 2014 will cause reimbursement issues.

START NOW! The National Director of PAHCS, Lee Browder provided the above messaging regarding ICD-10. Visit www.pahcs.org/content/icd-10-cm-information for additional information on PAHCS or to read the full article . Also visit the AOA website at www.osteopathic.org/ICD-10 for educational resources on ICD-10.