The ICD-10-CM implementation deadline has come and gone. Can you believe it? After years of updates and delays, it finally came to fruition. October 1, 2015 was the official launch. Were you ready?
Ready or Not, ICD-10 is Here
On October 1st, 2015 ICD-10 coding went into full effect. ICD-10 increased the available diagnosis codes from 14,000 to nearly 68,000 available codes under ICD-9. This switch also gives medical providers the ability to track patient data and update outdated terms used with other systems. However, the changeover to ICD-10 may come with a sacrifice of efficiency as well as a number of coding complexities.
Some of you were likely well-equipped for the change, and others of you may have thought you were ready for ICD-10, but are feeling the effects now. Ideally you were already in the process of switching your medical office over to the new coding protocol long before October 1st, but – we know how things get.
ICD-10 Implementation Resources
ICD-10 is here, and there’s no looking back. Whether you feel the transition is going smoothly or not, you’re bound to have questions come up along the way. Here are seven of the best ICD-10 implementation resources to keep you on your feet and successful amidst the new implementation…
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ICD10Data.com
This is a free database of ICD-10 codes that allows you to familiarize yourself with the codes that your medical office will be using the most often. Using the site’s conversion tool, you will also be able to convert ICD-9-CM codes over to ICD-10-CM, or vice versa. This will help you identify and understand how commonly used ICD-9 codes transferred over into the new coding protocol. -
American Health Information Management Association
AHIMA provides a good overview of what ICD-10 is and how it will impact health care. The AHIMA’s Implementation Toolkit provides a breakdown of strategies and potential implementation challenges. They also offer briefs about best practices for ICD-10 implementation. -
CMS Provider Resources Page
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers resources for the entire health care industry that will help you learn about ICD-10 and the switch. These resources include checklists for medical offices and rules and regulations that must be followed for implementation. -
American Academy Of Orthopedic Surgeons’ Practice Management Center
Although the AAOS requires a membership, they do offer some excellent resources for providers. They target their information at Orthopedic surgeons, so this resource is ideal for Orthopedic practices that want to find information on ICD-10 that is tailored to their needs. -
Healthcare Information Services blog
At Healthcare Information Services, we prides ourselves on providing timely, helpful updates to its readers about the latest happenings with ICD-10 and what these happenings mean to the medical community. You will receive updates on this blog that will help you in all areas of medical coding including conversion strategies, training tips, and ways to assess the progress of your medical office. -
Radiology Business Management Association
The RBMA provides resources for practice leaders, billing managers, coders, marketers, and vendors. To assure you’re successful with ICD-10’s new coding system, RBMA offers customizable plans for implementation, education materials, and helpful links to publications that discuss pertinent issues affecting radiology coders and offer Q&A sessions that address common questions that today’s medical coders have about the future of coding. -
American Academy Of Professional Coders
The AAPC offers valuable resources to help coders, managers, and physicians with ICD-10 implementation and ICD-10 coding protocol. Materials offered by the AAPC include online assessment courses, conferences, and helpful books. You can also receive customized coding consulting and mapping designed specifically for your practice.
As we’ve already seen, the ICD-10 switch will have a massive impact on healthcare offices. Thankfully for doctors, nurses, and medical administrators, the Internet has numerous resources available that will make it much easier to bounce back after this switch. Be certain that you capitalize on all of the resources available so that your team is equipped to answer questions and can continue to implement ICD-10 flawlessly.