Yes ICD 10 is finally here and we have been busy! The one thing we can say is we are ready. We have trained, updated your computer system and tested with our clearinghouse so we have the green light. The codes as I have mentioned before is roughly from 14,000 of ICD 9 CM to 69, 000 ICD 10 CM codes so needless to say this will change us completely and insurance companies, hospitals etc. SNVBill went through a 2 full day course with an instructor from the AAPC ( American Academy of American Coders) which I am a member of. We felt this was so important to have for our staff and you as the physician.As many of you know the ICD 10 has been in the making since 2008 and with many delays the October 1, 2015 is finally here to be implemented. The conversions that many of us have had to make is certainly made us aware of how it so important for you as the physician needs to indicate the importance of providing to us the correct diagnosis. We have expanded our system to accommodate 8 diagnosis’s however this can go up to 12 we felt that we will watch and if the need to do more we will change this in our system.
What is the primary purpose of this change? It is to improve the clinical communication and allow for the capture of data regarding signs, symptoms, risk factors and comorbidities to better describe the clinical issue overall. This will also enable the US to exchange information across international borders. The Health Organization uses the ICD code set to track mortality and comorbidities on a global level. The diagnosis as I stated is important to being more defined descriptive wise.
Example One example is: Angina pectoris
There are 7 ICD-10-CM codes grouped within this DRG:
· I20.0 
Unstable angina
· I20.1 Angina pectoris with documented spasm
· I20.8 Other forms of angina pectoris
· I20.9 Angina pectoris, unspecified
· I24.0 Acute coronary thrombosis not resulting in myocardial infarction
· I24.8 Other forms of acute ischemic heart disease
· I24.9 Acute ischemic heart disease, unspecified
So as you can see Angina pectoris needs to be more defined by your indication to us as the choices now we have.
Another example is: Pressure ulcer of elbow
· L89.010 Pressure ulcer of right elbow, unstageable
· L89.011 Pressure ulcer of right elbow, stage 1
· L89.012 Pressure ulcer of right elbow, stage 2
· L89.013 Pressure ulcer of right elbow, stage 3
· L89.014 Pressure ulcer of right elbow, stage 4
· L89.019 Pressure ulcer of right elbow, unspecified stage
· L89.020 Pressure ulcer of left elbow, unstageable
· L89.021 Pressure ulcer of left elbow, stage 1
· L89.022 Pressure ulcer of left elbow, stage 2
· L89.023 Pressure ulcer of left elbow, stage 3
· L89.024 Pressure ulcer of left elbow, stage 4
· L89.029 Pressure ulcer of left elbow, unspecified stage
As you can see there needs to be a more defined as to left versus right and what stage.
We are not asking you to code we will but we are asking you to provide enough information according to their diagnosis.
There are many free help sights so below is listed a few. Even your organizations that you may belong to will have ICD 10 helpful tools.
(Medicare) which may contain this useful link according to your specialty http://www.roadto10.org/action-plan/phase-2-train/common-codes-internal-medicine/ (This is for Internal Medicine)
There are webcasts as well on Medicare’s page:
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
ICD-10: The Provider Perspective (Presented by Dr. Joe Nichols)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBXqy386Lfg
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
ICD-10: Rural or urban; It impacts all providers (Presented by Dr. Joe Nichols)
http://narhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ICD-10-Documentation-Requirements.pdf
http://www.roadto10.org/webcasts/#fam
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lori or Sandra at the office and we will be glad to assist you. We look forward to making this transition smooth despite all the conversation that might be concerning to all of you.