ICD-10 knowhow for Home Care Coders
The Oct. 1, 2013 deadline may seem like a long way off, but it's not too early to start preparing for ICD-10 implementation. Experts advise you to take advantage of the lead time you have so that you are well-prepared for the real thing.
Enjoy these benefits that come with ICD-10
According to Therese Rode, RHIT, HCS-D, senior coding manager with INOVAVA Home Health in Springfield, Vir, "ICD-10 will increase our inter-operability with other countries already on the newer diagnosis and procedure coding system."
The new system can also capture newer procedures and diagnoses than the previous coding system can, says Rode.
But the best part is ICD-10 provides greater specificity in a single code. At present, you'll be able to code bilateral ulcer, bilateral amputations, and bilateral fractures.
Example: With ICD-9 [http://www.elihomecareconnection.com/], there is no clear way to report a patient with pressure ulcers on both the left and right buttocks. But with the new system, you can easily report these bilateral ulcers with codes such as L89.323 (Pressure ulcer of left buttock, stage III) and L89.313 (Pressure ulcer of right buttock stage III).
Rode says that ICD-10 better the work you're doing and the patient's condition.
Do not fear the increase in number of codes:
By now, you probably know that ICD-9 volumes 1 & 2 contain only 13,000 codes while ICD 10 will have 68,000 codes. But do not get bogged down by this number.
The greater number of codes is owing to the structure of the codes, says Rodes. But she adds that you shouldn't be scared of the growth as you're not going to use all of them.
Tip: In the current system, you need at least two codes to describe most diabetic manifestations. But with ICD-10's 200 diabetes codes, just one code reports both the diabetes as well as the manifestation.
The ICD-10 system is alpha-numeric, making way for a greater number of codes than the current system could ever contain. The first three characters of an ICD-10 code indicate the code category, very much like ICD-9 does now. The fourth character in ICD-10 system indicates the etiology.
The fifth character is indicative of the anatomical site while the sixth character lists the severity. What's more, a seventh, optional, character provides a place of service code.
Example: In the current system, in order to report a patient with a pressure ulcer on the right buttock, you would list 707.05 (Pressure ulcer; buttock) and 707.24 (Pressure ulcer stage IV). However, after ICD-10 goes into effect, you'll list L89.314d (Pressure ulcer of right buttock, stage IV; subsequent encounter).
For more information on home health ICD-10 transition, there are various sources to help you get them.
Enjoy these benefits that come with ICD-10
According to Therese Rode, RHIT, HCS-D, senior coding manager with INOVAVA Home Health in Springfield, Vir, "ICD-10 will increase our inter-operability with other countries already on the newer diagnosis and procedure coding system."
The new system can also capture newer procedures and diagnoses than the previous coding system can, says Rode.
But the best part is ICD-10 provides greater specificity in a single code. At present, you'll be able to code bilateral ulcer, bilateral amputations, and bilateral fractures.
Example: With ICD-9 [http://www.elihomecareconnection.com/], there is no clear way to report a patient with pressure ulcers on both the left and right buttocks. But with the new system, you can easily report these bilateral ulcers with codes such as L89.323 (Pressure ulcer of left buttock, stage III) and L89.313 (Pressure ulcer of right buttock stage III).
Rode says that ICD-10 better the work you're doing and the patient's condition.
Do not fear the increase in number of codes:
By now, you probably know that ICD-9 volumes 1 & 2 contain only 13,000 codes while ICD 10 will have 68,000 codes. But do not get bogged down by this number.
The greater number of codes is owing to the structure of the codes, says Rodes. But she adds that you shouldn't be scared of the growth as you're not going to use all of them.
Tip: In the current system, you need at least two codes to describe most diabetic manifestations. But with ICD-10's 200 diabetes codes, just one code reports both the diabetes as well as the manifestation.
The ICD-10 system is alpha-numeric, making way for a greater number of codes than the current system could ever contain. The first three characters of an ICD-10 code indicate the code category, very much like ICD-9 does now. The fourth character in ICD-10 system indicates the etiology.
The fifth character is indicative of the anatomical site while the sixth character lists the severity. What's more, a seventh, optional, character provides a place of service code.
Example: In the current system, in order to report a patient with a pressure ulcer on the right buttock, you would list 707.05 (Pressure ulcer; buttock) and 707.24 (Pressure ulcer stage IV). However, after ICD-10 goes into effect, you'll list L89.314d (Pressure ulcer of right buttock, stage IV; subsequent encounter).
For more information on home health ICD-10 transition, there are various sources to help you get them.
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