With a few more months left for the ICD-10 transition, how prepared is your practice for the implementation? According to a survey conducted by Porter Research, approximately 67% respondents were sure that ICD-10 will be implemented on the scheduled date of 1 October 2015. In this blog, we will discuss about how to start ICD-10 training medical practices.
Many physician practices in the US are yet to be prepared for the complexities of ICD-10 including, reduced staff productivity and lack of adequate training. As per the Porter Research survey, 21% respondents were on track for the transition whereas 15% said they have not yet started preparing. While some have not started preparing due to lack of time, staff and training resources, others are still waiting for their EHR vendor to provide them ICD-10 software updates.
Here’s how you can get started with ICD-10 training:
Invest Time
According to AHIMA, ICD-10 training should begin not more than six months before the compliance date. Different healthcare organizations will require different types of training; however, on average, coders will have to invest approximately 16 hours for learning the new code set.
For inpatient coders, around 50 hours will be required for training. Hospital coders will have to lean ICD-10 diagnosis and ICD-10 inpatient procedure coding whereas physician practice coders will be required to learn only ICD-10 diagnosis coding.
Resources
Providers will have to look for professional organizations that offer specialty-specific ICD-10 coding. The CMS also has ICD-10 training materials and resources to help practices prepare for the transition. ICD-10 training materials can also be obtained from medical specialty societies and software vendors.
- According to industry experts, providers should focus on the diagnosis codes they will need most often. Once they have identified such codes, they should learn the codes and keep practicing them
- They will also have to train their staff and educate them in ICD-10, medical terminologies, anatomy, physiology, procedures, and pharmacology. Once they have identified which staff will need what training, they need to choose an apt training option including, remote, online sessions, in-house sessions or formal classroom sessions
- In order to ensure readiness for the new coding system, practices will have to make sure that coders learn the ICD-10-CM/PCS code set. Even non-coding staff members will require knowledge about the ICD-10 code structure
- The existing medical coders may also act like in-house trainers, helping co-workers learn more about the new coding system or practices will have to hire additional resources who can make non-coding staff aware of ICD-10
Is all this Too Much to Handle in Too Little Time?
If the answer is yes, outsourcing ICD-10 coding can be the most beneficial, cost-effective solution to all your ICD-10 problems. Companies like Medical Billers and Coders (MBC) offers the services of an expert team of ICD-10-trained coders and billers who can help your practice get paid on time and make a smooth transition.
Medical Billers and Coders (MBC) currently serves 42 medical specialties across all 50 states in the US, helping physicians maximize revenue and minimize denials. To know more about our medical billing and coding services, email us at: info@medicalbillersandcoders.com or call us at: 888-357-3226.
