So, I took a ICD-10 training course from AAPC, for professionals. I have to say that from a Medical Biller perspective I didn’t see a lot of drastic change. However, there was a lot more change for the providers/doctors.
Those of you who have been documenting extensively for your patients have nothing to worry about….Yes, it will take a while for the payers to start processing your claims correctly and get payment. But you will have a less change of a rejected or denied claim, based on the simple fact that your diagnosis did not correspond to the treatment codes and you have no supporting documentation to show for it.
ICD -10 are more focused and more detailed but they are also more descriptive and require the supporting documentation to accompany the diagnosis.
There is more pressure on the provider to make sure that the documentation is correct so that the coder could select and code the diagnosis properly.
Please do not be discauraged. There is plenty of help…Courses from AAPC or even Availity. Or maybe you prefer a mobile approach of having an app on your phone with the ICD-10 refences. Of course, lets not forget your EHR/EMR software which could be quiet useful.
So, cheer up and brace the new ICD-10 with open arms and ease!
KR2 Medical Billing 