ICD-9 Coder Retirement Offers Opportunity for the ICD-10 Skilled

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

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Posted by Julie @ 7/14/2011 03:29:00 PM • 0 comments