ICD-10

The transition from ICD-9 to ICD 10 went into effect on October 1, 2015. To help ensure you are in compliance, here are some things to remember:

• Make sure your practice management system and/or billing system is ICD-10 ready. Talk with your vendor about the support and services you might need to be compliant for ICD-10.
• There is no need to memorize all of the new ICD-10 diagnosis. If you are not an inpatient facility, you only need to be concerned with the most common medical conditions your practice sees and understand how ICD-10 impacts them.
• If you rarely see a particular ailment, there’s no need to memorize it or convert it to the ICD-10 equivalent diagnosis code on your paper super bill or problem list in your electronic medical record.
• If your practice treats a wide range of medical conditions, use the 80/20 rule to determine which diagnosis ICD-10 codes are most pertinent; this includes family practice, pediatric medicine or internal medicine.
• CMS offers the Road to ICD-10 – a comprehensive tool where you can explore common codes, primers for clinical documentation, clinical scenarios and additional resources associated by specialty. Visit www.roadto10.org to find information for:
  • Family practice
  • Pediatrics
  • OB/GYN
  • Cardiology
  • Orthopedics
  • Internal medicine
  • Other specialties