Why you need to get physicians ready for ICD-10 coding now

ICD10 Watch by CARL NATALE

Posted on Tue, Aug 26, 2014 - 08:00 am

Earlier this month, Andy Arends of Dell Services wrote about the need for proper physician readiness as part of ICD-10 preparation.

It's a bit of a no-brainer because physicians will be essential in making the ICD-10 transition work. If they're not documenting properly, there's not many choices for even the best coders.

And one of the tools to help physicians is ICD-10 testing because by Certified RN-Coders:

"For physicians, ICD-10 testing is an opportunity to identify flaws in either their documentation or coding processes before those flaws create delayed payments or underpayment"

Except there's a pretty good chance that documentation flaws already are creating delayed payments or underpayments. Their documentation habits could be costing medical practices time and money long before ICD-10 coding becomes a reality.

Prepare physicians now for ICD-10 documentation to prevent reimbursement disruptions because of insufficiently documented ICD-9 claims.

AND, since many medical coders have indicated their willingness to retire when ICD10 is implemented -- the Certified RN-Coders need to start working with physicians in their community now to avoid transition issues.