Time is passing by and healthcare providers must get ready to start using the new ICD-10 diagnosis codes if they want to remain billing compliant. This transition is taking place because, in first place, this code is used in nearly every country, except in the US, and second, the ICD-9 code has several limitations, being the most important one, the limited number of subcategories available.

That’s right! ICD-10 has been designed with a significant number of codes, approximately 69.000 for ICD-10-CM and 140.000 for ICD-10-PCS compared to the 13.000 codes of the ninth edition. This increase combined with the longer code length will allow including more specific information that was missed before.

ICD-10 is not a change by itself, but it represents that doctors and coders will have to learn and adapt its way of working to satisfy the new requirements. For example, healthcare professionals will need to be more familiar with an unknown coding, besides of changing their documentation processes. Coders will have to work closely with doctors to teach them on proper coding methods and at the same time they will learn more about medical terminology. Also clearinghouses and insurance payers need to educate themselves about the new coding so they can attend the claims properly and on time.

IBNexperience and bflow work to face this new challenge and to help healthcare professionals and providers to get ready in the use of this new coding. Remember that the transition from ICD-9 codes to ICD-10 will occur on October 1, 2014. Are you prepared?.