ICD-10 Transition Basics for Small and Rural Practices
ICD-10 Transition deadline was on October 1, 2015 – the health care industry transited from ICD-9 to ICD-10 codes for diagnoses and inpatient procedures. ICD-10 Transition means everyone covered by HIPAA must use ICD-10 codes for health care services provided on or after October 1, 2015. Below find some FAQs as for ICD-10 Transition prepared by eHealthUniversity.
Will you be able to submit claims?
If you use an electronic system for any or all payers, you need to know if it will be able to submit ICD-10 codes. If your system uses Version 5010 for electronic transactions, you should be able to submit ICD-10 codes. However, check with your practice management system or software vendor to make sure.
Will you be able to complete medical records?
If you use any type of electronic health record (EHR) system in your office, you need to know if it will capture ICD-10 codes. Look at how you enter ICD-9 codes (e.g., do you type them in or select from a program) and talk to your EHR vendor about your system’s capabilities for ICD-10.
How will you code your claims under ICD-10?
If you want to keep coding the same way you are now, and you only use books to code, purchase an ICD-10 code book. If your coder—or whoever is responsible for coding in your practice—cannot identify codes accurately using the code book or ‘look-up’ functionality in your software, explore their ICD-10 training options and determine if formal training is necessary. Then, take a look at the codes most commonly used in your office and practice coding.
Where do you use ICD-9 codes? Is there anywhere you use ICD-9 codes other than claims submission or your EHR?
Talk to your colleagues and keep track of your own activities for a couple of weeks. Write down or use a sticky note to mark everywhere you see an ICD-9 code as you do your job. If the code is on paper, you will need new forms (e.g., patient encounter form). If you see the code on your computer, check with your EHR or practice management system vendor to see if your system will accept ICD-10 codes.
Are there ways to make coding more efficient?
For example, develop a list of your most commonly used ICD-10 codes, or invest in an inexpensive software program that helps small practices with coding. Also, think about ways to make sure the new coding does not delay payments. Look at your most common non-visit services—do any sometimes trigger reviews or denials related to medical necessity? It is important to understand how to code these
services correctly under ICD-10.