Transitioning to ICD-10 by Carol J. Buck

Mandated Transition

Over 99 percent of Medicare Part A (inpatient) claims and over 96 percent of Medicare Part B (outpatient) claim transactions are received electronically (www.cms.gov/Versions5010andD0/downloads/w5010BasicsFctSht.pdf). The 5010 electronic data interchange (EDI) is ICD-10 compatible and the government requires the claims be submitted via EDI. Although some prominent organizations have come out against the implementation of ICD-10, the transition is a mandate that is scheduled to take place October 1, 2014, and health care facilities and providers are in the final stages of gearing up for the transition. Canada has already transition to ICD-10 as have most nations; further, ICD-11 is already in global pilots. The ICD-9 had limited expandability based on the structure of the coding system and literally the system is out of numbers to assign. Unless some unforeseen political event occurs, the ICD-10 is a scheduled mandate that we all need to prepare for.

A successful transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 is not an impossible task! For the facilities and providers, the transition is expensive and time consuming as there must be software revisions and system integrations, but in the classroom, the revision is the curriculum content, which is not a difficult task. The critical issue for the classroom is the timing of the transition.

More Codes

The primary difference between the code systems is ICD-10 has more codes — approximately five times more codes — and these additional codes provide greater detail. For example, where there may have been two codes from which to choose to assign a diagnosis of a fracture, there may be 20 or more codes from which to choose. The increase reflects laterality (left/right) or incident of service (initial/subsequent), and other key factors. The increased number of codes makes the assignment of the code more specific not more difficult. The medical documentation must, however, reflect all the detail necessary to correctly assign a code.

In addition to having more codes in the ICD-10, and the format of the manual has changed.

The ICD-9-CM was contained in one manual with three volumes:

• Index of Diseases (Volume 2, the index)
• Tabular of Diseases (Volume 1, the codes)
• Procedures (Volume 3 inpatient surgical procedures and therapies)

The ICD-10 is contained in two manuals:

• ICD-10-CM with Index of Diseases and Tabular of Diseases
• ICD-10-PCS (Procedural Classification System)
• The new system is presented in table format and represents the most dramatic change in the entire coding system.

When to Transition

There are two questions to consider before developing an implementation plan to transition to ICD-10:

1.  When is the student entering the job market? 

• Between now and January 2014, the student should have a working knowledge of ICD-9 and a basic knowledge of the ICD-10.
• After January 2014, the student should have a working knowledge of both ICD-9 and ICD-10
• Employers want graduates to have ICD-9 knowledge from January to October, 2014, because transactions will be ICD-9 based until October 1, 2014, when transactions will begin to be ICD-10 based.

2.  Is the student preparing for an AHIMA or AAPC examination? 

• Examinations are to be ICD-10 based as follows:
• AHIMA, April 1, 2014, begins ICD-10 based examinations
• If the examinee takes an AHIMA certification exam prior to April 1, 2014, the examinee must acquire continuing education units (CEUs) in ICD-10 as follows:
• CHPS – 1 CEU
• CHDA – 6 CEUs
• RHIT – 6 CEUs
• RHIA – 6 CEUs
• CCS-P – 12 CEUs
• CCS – 18 CEUs
• CCA – 18 CEUs
• AAPC, January 1, 2015*, begins ICD-10 based examinations
• The examinee that takes the ICD-9 based AAPC certification examination must take and pass a 75-question ICD-10 proficiency examination. The proficiency examination will be available October 1, 2013 through October 1, 2015. The exam costs $75 and is an open book, online examination. The examinee has until 2015 to successfully pass the examination.



*Projected dates based on previous date of when ICD-10 was to be published October 1, 2013.

Transitioning to ICD-10-CM/PCS: Start Now

As today's medical coding students prepare to enter a challenging and ever-changing coding workforce, they need every advantage they can get — including a comprehensive introduction to ICD-10-CM/PCS.

"ICD-10-CM/PCS will require 'raising the bar' for coders," explains Elsevier author and coding expert Karla Lovaasen. "Coders will have to be more knowledgeable about procedures, anatomy and physiology, and medical terminology to code using ICD-10-CM/PCS. The sooner the learning process begins, the better."

To help you keep your course at the forefront of coding education, Lovaasen and co-author Jennifer Schwerdtfeger have partnered with Elsevier to prepare a new version of their popular ICD-9-CM Coding: Theory and Practice text dedicated entirely to ICD-10-CM/PCS.

Available in Fall 2011, ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding: Theory and Practice incorporates core coding principles with the ICD-10-CM/PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (OCGR) to deliver the fundamental understanding coders need to prepare for the future of diagnosis coding in hospital and physician settings. View a sample chapter!

2012 ICD-9-CM Coding: Theory and Practice with ICD-10 has also been completely updated and is available in Fall 2011.

To learn more about this and other ICD-10-CM/PCS resources, contact your Elsevier Education Solutions Consultant or visit elsevierhealth.com.

GEMs: A Helpful Roadmap to ICD-10-CM

Every journey is easier with a map. Now you can map your course from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM with General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs).

What are GEMs?
General Equivalence Mappings are free, government-authored reference files designed to help you convert data coded in ICD-9-CM to appropriate codes in the ICD-10-CM code set. Published via the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ICD-10-CM website, these public domain files make it easier for you to learn how ICD-10-CM works and how to use it.

Access the GEM directory here.

How do GEMs work?
Because very few ICD-9-CM codes have a single direct successor in the ICD-10-CM set, GEMs do not simply translate ICD-9 codes into ICD-10, but instead demonstrate the differences between the two sets and guide you in making informed decisions about how to analyze clinical data and assign the appropriate codes.

Learn more about GEMs here.

Register for updates from icd10educators.com now to ensure that you receive more helpful tips on making a smooth transition to ICD-10-CM!

Understanding ICD-10 Gives Students an Advantage in the Workplace

by Colleen Agee

Former Medical Coder | Elsevier Account Representative, Career Sales

Even with limited coding experience, today's coding students can gain an edge on professional coders already in the workforce. The change from ICD-9 to ICD-10 on October 1st, 2013 will affect all coders, no matter how much experience they may have. Give yourself an advantage by learning about ICD-10 now.

Today's professional coders work with approximately 17,000 codes in the ICD-9-CM code set. After the transition to ICD-10, they'll be working with more than 155,000 codes. With the coding community nervous about the changes, many companies are delaying ICD-10 training for their staff until the 2013 implementation date draws closer. This is your chance to get ahead.

Here are some steps you can take to leverage your understanding of ICD-10 in your job search and early coding career:

• Identify initial ICD-10 training on your résumé. Employers receive many résumés for every open position. While many applicants may have years of professional experience or coding certification, very few are trained on how to code with ICD-10 -- especially in smaller medical offices. This will make your résumé stand out from the rest.
• Mention your ICD-10 experience in your job interview. When discussing your skills, highlight your understanding of ICD-10. This will demonstrate your value to potential employers both as an experienced coder and a source of information for other coders on staff.
• Share your knowledge. Once you're hired, share what you know about ICD-10 with other employees. You'll stand out as a leader among the coders on staff, which will benefit you when your boss is conducting reviews or considering promotions.
• Stay up to date. Show employers your motivation and dedication by following ICD-10 information as it becomes available. You can find ICD-10 updates here and at these other sites:

www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD10

www.ahima.org/ICD10

www.aapc.com/ICD-10

Elsevier's core coding resources already include ICD-10 coverage so you can start your preparation now. Learn more.

Ease your program into ICD-10

Elsevier implements gradual transition plan in annual coding textbooks.

Experts across the coding industry agree that a gradual adoption of ICD-10 coverage is the most effective way to transition your curriculum from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCS.

To guide you through this process and ensure that you're always up to date, Elsevier will progressively shift the focus of its annual coding textbooks -- Buck's Step-by-Step Medical Coding and Lovaasen's ICD-9-CM Coding with ICD-10 -- from ICD-9-CM to the new code set. These texts will increase coverage of ICD-10 each year between now and the October 2013 implementation date. This means that you and your students will always have the amount of ICD-9 and ICD-10 coverage you need, without having to buy additional ICD-10 textbooks or switch from one book to another to cover ICD-9 and ICD-10. Ensure consistent coverage of ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-PCS by teaching students both code sets in the same text, and in the same learning format.

What do you mean by "gradual transition?"

The 2010 editions of Step-by-Step Medical Coding and ICD-9-CM Coding: Theory and Practice focus primarily on current coding standards and practices while providing a basic introduction to ICD-10 through unique features like dual coding. The 2011, 2012, and 2013 editions will increase emphasis on the new code set to help you maintain a seamless transition and ensure effective training for your students.

The chart below illustrates the complete transition timeline, beginning with the 2010 editions available now.

To learn more about these market-leading resources or Elsevier's complete plan for ICD-10 integration, register for updates now or contact your Elsevier Education Solutions Consultant.

What are Dual Codes, and how can they help you prepare for ICD-10?

Maybe you’ve seen the term in the news, or perhaps you overheard someone mention it at the 2009 AAPC conference. But what is Dual Coding, and what does it mean to coders?

“Dual Coding presents both the ICD-9-CM and corresponding ICD-10-CM codes for each procedure side-by-side so users can see the differences between the two code sets at a glance,” explains Michael Ledbetter, Publisher for Elsevier Health Sciences.

Example of dual coding.

Beginning in Fall 2009, Elsevier, the leader in coding education, will incorporate Dual Codes into key coding textbooks to familiarize students and practitioners with correct coding protocols for ICD-10 and help make the transition from ICD-9 easier and more efficient.

Do you have questions about Dual Codes, ICD-10, or anything else related to coding? Ask the Elsevier Experts!

Where Do You Start? Key First Steps to Implementing ICD-10 in Your Classroom

The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on January 15 of this year that it would replace the ICD-9-CM code set with ICD-10 in 2013.

What do you do now?

2013 may seem a long way off, but as the leading publisher in coding education, Elsevier is already taking steps to ensure that you have the textbooks and resources you need to start preparing now.

The Elsevier Plan

In order to make your transition to ICD-10 as smooth as possible, Elsevier has developed a comprehensive plan to address your specific concerns and keep you in the know:

• ICD10Educators.com keeps you up to date on the latest news and provides direct feedback and guidance from a panel of expert authors, educators, and industry insiders, lead by bestselling authors Carol J. Buck, Karla Lovaasen, and Jennifer Schwerdtfeger.
• Dual Codes in key coding textbooks will familiarize students and practitioners with correct coding protocols for both code sets beginning in Fall 2009
• ICD-10 Manual Draft versions will publish in late 2009, providing hands-on practice for locating new codes.
• Renowned Netter Anatomy artwork will be added to all of Carol J. Buck's new ICD-9, ICD-10 and HCPCS coding reference books, starting with the 2010 ICDs. This expanded anatomy coverage will help clarify complex A&P concepts, helping support coders and students as they prepare for the more specific A&P in the ICD-10 code set.
• Elsevier’s exclusive co-publishing agreement with the American Medical Association (AMA) ensures that Elsevier’s ICD-9-CM and HCPCS code books will meet the needs of the full spectrum of students, instructors, physicians, coders, and other office staff throughout the transition process.

Watch for more info on these and other pieces of Elsevier’s ICD-10 preparation plan in future updates! Register now to receive the latest news via e-mail!

The ICD-10 Ruling is in: ICD-10 to be implemented in 2013

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on January 15 that it would replace the ICD-9-CM code set with ICD-10 in 2013. This means that all students and coders must switch to the new system by the implementation date, October 1, 2013.

This is good news for coders and for Elsevier because it establishes a plan for moving to the new code set, while also allowing two extra years for the implementation of the new codes.

In order to make the transition to ICD-10 smooth for our customers, Elsevier's plans for ICD-10 include:

• We will publish a draft ICD-10 manual this August in addition to the ICD-9-CM reference
• Starting in August 2009, Elsevier Coding textbooks will be dual coded, so that exercises show how students would find the answers in the ICD-10 codes as well as the ICD-9-CM codes
• We will communicate changes and gather feedback from customers via this website, www.icd10educators.com