As of October 1, 2015, the new ICD 10 Medical Coding system was officially implemented. It has been several years in coming and during that time medical coders and billers along with all healthcare professionals have been encouraged to learn all they can about the new Medical ICD 10 Code replacing ICD 9 codes. The system is a major undertaking in the medical world with the new list of codes being five times more detailed than any system they have ever used before. So the American Medical Association (AMA) along with the United Nation's World Health Organization have attempted to compile a list of potential problems some may be having with the new coding system.
When You Want To Report Coding Issues:
If you find that you're having an issue with the new coding system there are several steps you need to take to report it. First, you must determine if the payer is Medicare. If so, check with your Medicare Administrative Contractor to see if they have a solution to the problem. You should take the same action with any other payer you may be coding for. So, if it is Medicaid, contact them for a solution, if it is a private vendor or an insurance company that is paying you must first contact their offices for how they wish the coding to be done.
Educational Resources:
Because Medical ICD 10 Code replacing ICD 9 is such a major transition, the AMA has made a host of materials available to help with the planning stages and transition to the new system. Simply go here for ICD-10 Educational Resources and Implementation Tools. By referring and using these tools, you can increase your knowledge and understanding of the new coding system so that you can fully implement it earlier.
If You Have More Questions:
There's a good bet that as the healthcare world becomes accustomed to the new system that there will be questions that come up that will not be easily answered. For that the AMA has set up a Frequently Asked Questions page to summarize the differences between the ICD 10 and the ICD 9 coding system. It also gives a detailed explanation of the need for the new upgrade and recommends the steps needed by coders to fully adopt the new system.
Because the Medical ICD 10 Code replacing ICD 9 is such a major transition, the AMA is doing all it can to make the transition a smooth one. It has already advocated for physicians and demonstrated its commitment to making sure that there are no obstacles in the way of making this new system work for everyone. A visit to the AMA store will provide everyone with the right training materials and other resources to help them fully grasp the new system and its importance. So, no matter where you are or what role you play in the world of healthcare, mastering the new ICD 10 Codes is a must and will require commitment to learning them. While it may be difficult in the beginning, the newer system is all encompassing and has room to grow built right into it so that the next transition should be many years into the future.
