Electronic Health Reporter

Michele Hibbert-Iacobacci, CMCO,CCS-P, vice president of information management support, Mitchell International.

With the October 1 implementation date for ICD-10 just around the corner, many providers are in need of a quick, at-a-glance refresher to their training. The implementation of ICD-10 has been delayed twice, so many providers that had solid plans for training in advance are not as prepared as they had intended to be.

Quick reference guides are in even higher demand considering the influx of codes required by ICD-10. Currently, ICD-9 includes 13,800 three to five digit, primarily numeric diagnostic codes. By contrast, the ICD-10 code set will contain roughly five times that number, totaling approximately 69,000 three to seven digit, alphanumeric codes.

To alleviate the last minute training scramble, ICD-10-focused readiness material and courses from widely accepted and well-known organizations may help ensure a smooth transition come October 1.

American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC) have go-at-your-own pace online courses for both ICD-10-CM and PCS.

https://www.aapc.com/icd-10/

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offer ICD-10 training and readiness resources for all providers, not just those billing the payer.

https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coding/icd10/providerresources.html and http://www.roadto10.org/quick-references/

American Hospital Associations Coding Clinic Advisor (AHA) is a forum where specific questions can be addressed.

http://www.codingclinicadvisor.com/

American Medical Association (AMA) provides many resources including training which can be accessed on their educational site.

http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/solutions-managing-your-practice/coding-billing-insurance/hipaahealth-insurance-portability-accountability-act/transaction-code-set-standards/icd10-code-set.page

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) offers training resources that encompass the physician practice.

http://www.ahima.org/education/onlineed/Programs/ICD10

American College of Physicians (ACP) presents resources and information for accessing sites with training and primers.

https://www.acponline.org/running_practice/payment_coding/coding/icd10.htm

Many organizations are in the position to be served by creating a training checklist to maximize preparedness. Taking the time now to refresh your understanding of ICD-10 and adequately prepare for this major overhaul of the coding system could prevent a large and costly setback for your organization.