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July 25, 2011
It’s always nice to have a little help with something difficult, like moving heavy furniture or opening a jar of peanut butter. But what about the ICD-10 system of coding, set to take over our coding atmosphere on October 1, 2013? With more than 14,400 codes*, ICD-10 not only appears daunting, but seems to have many ICD-9 coders procrastinating along the road to knowing the system. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a little help with that (or an easy way out of learning ICD-10 in the first place)?
Enter technology. More specifically, new ICD-10 translation software from a top-name company. Designed to make the process of translating ICD-9 codes easier, the software takes codes from the old system and provides corresponding codes in a matter of seconds. Additionally, the software provides detailed information about refining each code to ensure accuracy in translation.
Sounds like an ICD-10 dream come true… or is it?
Learning a skill and mastering it has its own rewards. Namely, you take on a skill that is in high-demand, such as ICD-10 coding, and make it your ticket to a wealth of jobs that are available in physicians’ offices and health care facilities across the nation. Additionally, not everyone can afford the thousands of dollars it will cost to implement ICD-10 translation software, especially smaller medical offices that depend on manpower rather than computer ease. Already, these smaller offices are feeling the strain of having to obtain new computer systems to get up-to-speed with the electronic health records requirement.
While the ICD-10 translation software might be ideal for larger medical groups and institutions, it does not substitute for the dedicated coding professionals who will take the leap and become trained in the new system. With comprehensive education in how to translate codes manually, coders may have the last laugh as October 1 rolls around, when it is predicted that there will be more coding jobs than coders available for health care offices. How it will all unfold remains to be seen and a good thing to do is plan ahead and help yourself with ICD-10 training sooner rather than later.
Source: Wikipedia
Labels: IC, ICD-10 codes, ICD-10 implementation, ICD-10 online, ICD-10 training
Read Full Article>> ICD-10 Translation – An Easy Way Out of Training?
July 14, 2011
Long-time ICD-9 coders are facing a dilemma with the upcoming switch to ICD-10 – learn the new system of coding or retire? It is predicted that by 2013 many coders well-versed in ICD-9 will retire before ICD-10 is implemented, leaving job openings in their wake. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 35,100 new coding jobs will be created between 2008-2018. This is where you come in.
Training now in ICD-10 can help you prepare for these openings and put you in a position of authority in a career field needed by physicians and health care facilities across the nation. At present, there are not enough trained coders to go around, and with labor statistics predicting a shortage of trained coders in the next few years1 it is assumed they will be a hot commodity.
While the ICD-10-CM classification system includes several differences from ICD-9-CM, it does keep the traditional format that many coders will recognize. This includes alphabetic index, tables of neoplasms, drugs and chemicals and external causes and tabular list. Many of the rules for code selection are also the same. This should help make it easier for experienced coders to learn and embrace ICD-10. For junior coders, ICD-10 will be a new language in and of itself, and with comprehensive training it can be successfully learned.
Training for ICD-10 may include face-to-face workshops, seminars and web-based learning. An advantage of learning online is that travel is not necessary, making it cost-effective. However, with varying groups of coders (experienced, mid-level and new) in need of ICD-10 education, it is imperative that a variety of ways to achieve this are realized.
Additionally, other professionals in the health care field might not be aware of how the new coding will affect them. Because ICD-10 coding will be far-reaching, it is important that varying levels of training are addressed and implemented as needed. Those affected include:
- · Auditors
- · Billing/accounting personnel
- · Compliance officers
- · Data quality/data security personnel
- · Fraud investigators
- · Government agency personnel
- · Information systems personnel
- · Non-physician clinicians and ancillary department personnel
- · Quality management personnel
- · Researchers/data analysts/epidemiologists
- · Software vendors
However, the biggest impact from the switch to ICD-10 remains with those who will inherit the job opportunities left behind by ICD-9 retirees. With comprehensive training in the ICD-10 coding system, you can start now to enjoy the benefits of a smart career move and be ahead of the game.
Source: 1. American Health Information Management Association
Read Full Article>> ICD-9 Coder Retirement Offers Opportunity for the ICD-10 Skilled
