Why does icd 9 cm need to be replaced

The first list shows the deleted codes that will be invalid on and after Oct. An illustrative description of a specific, relevant code change is the expansion of diagnosis code options to indicate influenza. Last year, code influenza was expanded to a category with two new codes added: These codes were created to provide data on the novel H1N1 influenza virus also known as swine flu and avian influenza also known as bird flu , respectively.

Each single, four-digit code has been replaced with three five-digit codes for this year. A: The changes listed here represent just a small sample. Watch your medical bills and explanations of benefits closely to make sure that information is represented correctly and you are receiving the right benefits. She advises, educates and supports OneDigital's overall corporate tactics and client support issues. She joined OneDigital in as vice president of operations and was later promoted to senior vice president of operations and strategic development before taking on her current role.

Visit the Coronavirus Advisory Hub or Stimulus Guidance for Employers page for actionable guidance on this emerging pandemic. Read more. Blog Home. Training on the new coding system may take many forms including face-to-face workshops or seminars. Currently, there are a number of excellent coding publications dedicated to coding training, and it is expected that this, too, will be the case for ICDCM.

Audioseminars, which deliver the information to a large audience, are very cost effective as no travel is involved. Certainly, Web-based training will play an important role in the training of all affected individuals. Various methodologies should be employed as different groups of individuals might respond to one type of training more than another. For instance, physicians may prefer face-to-face training to a Web-based training program. Educators in coding certificate programs, health information technology programs, and health information administration programs will have the task of educating new coders.

As mentioned earlier, different populations of individuals will require training. Coding professionals: While ICDCM has many differences from ICDCM, the new classification system does retain the traditional format and many of the same characteristics and conventions and thus, should not be too difficult for experienced coders to achieve coding proficiency. An additional problem that could be encountered is a shortage of credentialed, professional coders.

Currently, there is a shortage of coders skilled in both ICDCM and CPT coding, and some coders may opt to retire before learning an entirely new system thus exacerbating the problem.

Labor statistics predict a shortage of trained coders in the next several years. Physicians: Physician documentation has been an obstacle to complete and accurate coding for quite some time. With the increased specificity in ICDCM, this issue will continue to be an essential element to collection of good statistical data as well as the key to appropriate reimbursement. Other healthcare professionals: Again, because of the many uses of coded data, there are multiple categories of users of coded data.

These users will require varying levels of training depending on their involvement with coded data. Some of these users include:. The increased specificity of the ICDCM codes makes complete and accurate documentation increasingly important with the implementation of the new system. Health information management supervisors and coders will have to assist the physicians in becoming more aware of what documentation is needed.

Likewise, radiologists and pathologists will need to be reminded about the types of information that will need to be available for coders to correctly assign codes. As evidenced by the experiences in Australia and Canada, successful transition to the ICDCM classification system will require long range planning by healthcare facilities. It is not simply HIM professionals who are affected, but healthcare professionals across many disciplines.

Terminology and disease classification are now consistent with new technology and current clinical practice. Injuries, poisonings and external causes are much more detailed in ICDCM, including the severity of injuries, and how and where injuries happened.

Extensions are also used to provide additional information for many injury codes. Pregnancy trimester is designated for ICDCM codes in the pregnancy, delivery and puerperium chapter. Postoperative codes are expanded and now distinguish between intraoperative and post-procedural complications. Get Email Updates. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address.

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