The ICD-10-CM Coding System - Essay Example

"The ICD-10-CM Coding System" is a brilliant example of a paper on the health system.

            The United States Department of Health and Human Services has mandated that all healthcare organizations begin using the ICD-10-CM/PCS medical coding system by October 1, 2013 (http://library.ahima.org/xpedio/groups/public/documents/ahima/bok1_044963.hcsp?

dDocName=bok1_044963). 

            The ICD or International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, is published by the World Health Organization and is a system using a combination of letters and numbers to correspond with the categories of diseases, illnesses, and medical procedures.  There are over 155,000 codes within this system.  The coding system is in its 10th revision, which explains the number 10 in the title (http://www.medicalcodingschools.net/

articles-additional-info/basic-medical-coding-systems). 

Role in the Transition

            The primary responsibility of the transition from the 9th edition to the 10th edition falls to the IT staff or consultants; however, the medical billing specialist does play an important part.  

            The medical billing specialists have the coding knowledge necessary to accurately set up the new 10th edition coding program.  The specialists know the codes in the 9th edition and have the responsibility to learn the new codes so that they can assist the implementation team in ensuring the codes are correctly used within the new system (http://perspectives.ahima.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=234:preparing-for-icd-10-cmpcs-one-payers-experience-with-general-equivalence-mappings-gems&catid=45:icd-9icd-10&Itemid=93). 

information.  This allows the IT professionals to set up the program and the report functions correctly.  The billing and coding specialists will have an important role to communicate how the system should work. 

Challenges

            Obviously, there will be challenges when implementing a new system.  One of the challenges that are being focused on now is that physicians will have to document more on the patient’s medical record than is required now (https://newsletters.ahima.org/newsletters/

ICDTen/2011/July/July_ICD.html).  The challenge for the coding professional is that what the doctors write on medical records is totally out of their control.  Doctor’s need to receive training as to what needs to be included according to the specifications of the new coding system. 

            Another challenge is having the time for training. There are differences in codes, locations, reports, and general differences in how the program operates.  There needs to be time for coding and billing specialists to participate in training for the new program.  This can be a challenge for many coding professionals as their employers may not allow them the necessary work time to acquire the training.  Training can occur through a manual and a combination of in-class and online training (https://newsletters.ahima.org/newsletters/ICDTen/2011/

<July/July_ICD.html).  Training is vital to the successful implementation of the new coding system. 

            The last challenge is simply the implementation itself in terms of technical system administration.  It is rare that a new system works correctly the first time.  There will be quirks that have to be worked out in cooperation between the IT people and the coding professional.  Both groups must work together and be patient, yet diligent in the process. 

Conclusion

            It is always a challenge to implement an entirely new computerized coding system.  There has to be training for all involved, even those outside of the coding business and there has to be IT implementation and set up.  It is certainly the task of working together and planning.