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O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | J U N E 2 0 1 5
The Countdown to ICD-10
Be ready for the October deadline with these 6 steps.
A
fter 3 delays, it looks
like the long-awaited
ICD-10 coding system
will finally go live in October.
There's more to ICD-10 than just
learning a new code set and
upgrading your software (see "5
Fast Facts About ICD-10"). The
switch to new diagnostic and
procedural codes will affect
every aspect of your facility.
You'll suffer through added
expenses and workflow disrup-
tions, but in the end you'll bene-
fit from greater coding accuracy
and specificity. Here are 6 tips
for a smooth transition.
Contact your vendors
Reach out now to your software, EHR, EMR and patient
accounting system vendors. Either begin the process for updating
your online coding system with built-in ICD-10 functionality or con-
firm when the new system update for ICD-10 will be completed.
Review any contracts to verify these timelines, as well as see what
support is available.
You also want answers to these questions:
• Will there be training for the updated system?
• Will there be a fee for an upgrade from the current system?
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C O D I N G & B I L L I N G
Cristina Bentin, CCS-P, COC, CMA
z READY FOR ICD-10? All claims sub-
mitted to Medicare after Oct. 1 must use
the new codes or they won't be accepted.
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN