The Top Ten Things You Need to Know About ICD-10

No, it’s not a new Star Wars character…on October 1^st, the ICD-10 codes changed big time. Here are the top ten things you need to know about ICD-10.

It’s a HUGE heath care change that impacts everybody! Medical Billers and Coders use certain codes to make sure your health care problems get billed the right way and to make sure you get the right treatment for what you’re dealing with.

1. In-Depth Diagnosis: This is great news for you! A more detailed diagnosis should mean fewer rejections from your insurance company. These new codes have a ton of extra info to help speed up the claims process.

2.  Easy Upgrades: You know from how often you get an upgrade alert on your phone that technology is always changing. ICD-10 is set up to be easily upgradeable as technology advances. Future code updates may be as easy to install as updating software. That means the people billing and coding your medical information will have all the tools they need to help you get the treatment you need.

3.  Your Story: Nobody likes to go to the doctor and have to re-explain old problems. New codes will help change that. They’ll show where, how and when your injury or illness happened.

4.  New Listings: Let’s face it, the ICD system hasn’t been updated since the 70s! Think about how much has changed since then. The new code means new diseases, conditions and terminology can be documented and coded.

5.  Getting the Info: ICD-10 means better ways to get and analyze information for research. If doctors are trying to track a disease or illness, sometimes the only info they have are the ICD codes. More codes with better descriptions means less of a chance for mess ups. The more health care providers get things right, the better their research will be.

6. Keeping an Eye on Things: The new coding system will mean better monitoring so patients can access quality care. Since the old system is so, well…old, a lot of diseases were grouped together because codes for them didn’t exist. Now that they do, it’ll be easier for doctors to monitor what’s going on with your health.

7. Easier Records Management: ICD-10 makes it easier to get, share and review medical records without the pain that goes along with paper records and files.

8. Show Me the Money: You’ll probably get reimbursed faster! Clinicians can figure out how they can get paid faster and do a better timing out their billings.

9. Show Your Doctor Less Money: Practices can manage their resources better and reduce overall health care costs. That’s because the more health care providers know about certain diseases and treatments, the better than can plan ahead for what they’ll need. And the more they plan, the more you could save.

10. Time to Catch Up: We are WAY behind the curve…the United States is the only country that hasn’t been using ICD-10 codes! Now the same system is being used worldwide, which will help control diseases and give access to quality care.

Source:

http://www.emrnews.com/the-10-advantages-of-icd-10-over-icd-9/

http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_036866.hcsp?dDocName=bok1_036866