How to Master ICD 10 — 3 Preparation Tips

by

Do you have ICD 10 anxiety? Have you started building your ICD 10 foundation? Not sure how to start preparing for ICD 10 in your own medical practice?

To get an overview of what ICD 10 entails, start with the Road to 10 site (roadto10.org), run by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It offers webcasts, frequently-asked questions and other information about ICD 10. Once you know the basics, here are some strategies  that will help you prepare for the transition set for October 1, 2015. Learn how to master ICD 10 in these 3 preparation tips:

1. Beat inertia

Many medical practices got lucky when the ICD-10 implementation deadline was extended because they had procrastinated on learning it. While it is possible the deadline could be postponed again, Lance believes it’s unlikely. “Hope was a strategy, but I don’t think it will be this time,” he says.

To make the transition manageable, experts recommend scheduling some time every month to work on it, starting now—rather than next July or August, when it is likely to become a mad rush. “I think there are a lot of physicians who have their head in the sand on this,” says de Regnier. “It’s going to come back to bite them.”

Although de Regnier has started working on the transition, he is apprehensive. “I think we’ve frankly only scratched the surface,” he says. “It’s such a radically different coding system from what ICD-9 is. There’s going to be a pretty steep learning curve. I think the result is we will see a significant decline in productivity initially.”  Source: ICD-1o preparation: 9 keys to ensure practice is ready

2. Budget for the blitz

Complying with ICD-10 requires a substantial investment, so make sure you plan for outlays to cover training, additional software or upgrades to your existing programs, and other costs. Source: ICD-1o preparation: 9 keys to ensure practice is ready

Certification Coaching Organization (CCO), for example, offers ICD-10 Training Blitz including ICD-10-CM (Diagnostic) and ICD-10-PCS (Inpatient Procedural) full online courses to get you prepared and be confident for the ICD-1o.

For medical coding newbies, you need ICD-10-CM Training Blitz if you need to just know more about ICD-10. If you’re new to medical coding and you’re wondering, “Hmm, everybody keeps talking about ICD-10. I don’t know where to start.” Then the CCO ICD-10 Training Blitz is a perfect place to start because CCO experts are going to give you an overview of everything you need to know and give you all the details that supplement the overview.

However, if you are a certified medical coder, you need this ICD-10 CM Training Blitz if you are getting ready to sit for the proficiency exam with the AAPC (which looks fantastic on the resume). Learn more about ICD-10 Training Blitz

3. Download and read the ICD 10 documentation guide

ICD-10 is a watershed moment in US Healthcare. There is no consensus, at the moment, about the exact magnitude of impact this transition will have on your practice. Thus, the writing on the wall is to prepare for the worst. We agree, it’s easier said than done. But it’s possible. Simply use your time, whatever remains of it, wisely.

This ICD-10 Documentation Worksheet will help you in the last leg of the race and beyond. We are confident that this publication will be your best friend for the next few months. Download the ICD-10 Documentation Guide. You can also download the complete ICD-10-CM Guidelines for Coding and Reporting

Source: ICD-1o preparation: 9 keys to ensure practice is ready

How to Master ICD 10 Related Posts:

How to Master ICD 10 — 3 Preparation Tips

Leave a Comment