What's New With ICD 10
On October 1, 2013, the United States will begin officially implementing the 10th Revision of the set of codes known as the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, or the ICD-10 Program for short. This program has been set up to provide a comprehensive medical classification list for coding the symptoms and signs of diseases, as well as the external circumstances surrounding an injury or disease, and any abnormal findings. How will these changes affect your medical coding career, and why is it so important to learn as much about them as you can?
The ICD-10 provides over 14,400 unique codes for medical classification, and can be very useful for tracking new diagnoses. It is split into two sub sects, Clinical Modification (IDC-10-CM) for diagnosis coding, and Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) for inpatient procedure. With the use of sub classifications, the set can be expanded to approximately 16,000 codes, and the program capabilities can be increased further still by using codes that are meant to be included in a separate data field. The United States ICD-10-CM, for example, has around 68,000 codes, while the ICD-10-PCS includes close to 76,000. This simplified, multi-prong approach to classifying injuries and diseases provides a broader scope for understanding, and can revolutionize the way that coders and other medical professionals describe and understand the information they have.
So where can you find information on these changes before they are put into place in October? The World Health Organization offers a comprehensive set of online materials, including an online browser, study guide, and training program, in order to ensure the information reaches the widest possible amount of medical professionals.
What an ICD 10 Course Involves
The curriculum of these educational programs aims not only to update its graduates’ coding skills, but also to provide insight into the structural changes taking place in the new ICD-10, and explain the thematic principles and objectives that went into the development of this new program. Students graduate with the knowledge necessary in order to best prepare a plan to process these new policy and procedural documentation changes.
Wondering if such a program could be right for you? These training sessions are designed to best inform medical coders, as well as individuals with a goal to become coders, and any miscellaneous professional in the healthcare industry who is curious about the changes on the horizon, and their impact on facilities.
What To Expect Moving Forward
The imminent system adjustments caused by ICD-10 cm will be huge and dramatic for coders and other medical professionals alike, but they will not be impossible to comprehend. The right training is available now, along with several comprehensive study guides, all within a few clicks of your mouse. When they are finally put into place, do not be the only one in your facility who has not studied up on these changes. Take the time to optimize your career success by learning more about these code systems, and give yourself the knowledge and confidence you need when time comes to adapt to change.
About The Author:
George Kagan is the Marketing Copywriter for Allied Business Schools, Inc, He writes about medical coding courses, distance learning, real estate, green technologies, and much more. The medical coding course can be located at http://www.medicalcodingcouses.com
