The new system for disease classification, known as ICD-10, is the biggest change on the horizon for the healthcare industry. It is going to replace the current, ICD-9 codes and will roughly add 40,000 new codes to the system. Practices, hospitals, healthcare centers will have to use these codes not only in their daily workflow, but also for their billing and revenue cycle management.

While big hospitals and healthcare centers are already trying out the new system, smaller practices are lagging behind. Patient information, patient notes, e-Prescribing, e-Labs, Patient Portals, medical summaries, claims processing, insurances and eligibility checks are just some of the areas that will be affected by the implementation of ICD-10 codes, which go into effect October 1, 2014.

To what an extent will you be affected by this system? Let’s try to answer that.

Where do you use ICD-10 codes?

It is very important that a log of ICD-9 codes is kept. If the practice relies on paper, it will need new forms like encounter form, superbill, etc. In case it is using an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, it will need to check with the EHR vendor whether their system is able to handle the changes and how soon can they implement them. One such vendor which is ready for the upcoming ICD-10 changes. is CureMD.

Will you be able to submit claims?

Another important area that should concern practices is, whether the EHR system will be able to accommodate ICD-10 diagnoses and hospital inpatient procedural codes for payers. In case the system has not been upgraded to the latest HIPAA standards (Version 5010), it will not be possible to submit claims. It must be made sure that the EHR vendor upgrades its practice management to allow for Version 5010 claims.

Will you be able to complete medical records?

Practices should also make sure that they are able to use ICD-10 codes in their clinical procedures. Analysis must be done regarding the ICD-9 codes and the way they are used in the software; drop-down menu, auto-filling or manual entries. In case the practice employs SNOMED technology for entering and processing of codes, it must be shifted to ICD-10 as well.

How will you code your claims under ICD-10?

Practices need to look up codes that affect them and their daily workflows. If they are using ICD-9 workbook to enter codes, they need to have the ICD-10 books early in 2014, and start using them simultaneously so that the support staff can get accustomed to the new set. In addition, the ICD-10 codes must be searchable using the lookup feature in an EHR system.

Are there ways to make coding more efficient?

In case of small practices, they can only rely on the ones they regularly use and develop a guide book for quick referencing. Alternatively, they can invest in a software which can help them with the coding in an easy and robust manner.

These are some of the questions that practices need to ask themselves as far as their ICD-10 readiness is concerned. Remember, it may look like a huge set of codes to remember, but not everyone will have to remember every single code. It is about time practices started getting used to them in order to be more compliant towards regulatory authorities.