The Top 7 ICD-10 Implementation Resources

The ICD-10-CM implementation deadline is approaching quickly.  Healthcare professionals have just nine months to get their systems switched over to the new coding system before the October 1, 2014 deadline.

The ICD-10-CM implementation deadline is approaching quickly.  Healthcare professionals have just nine months to get their systems switched over to the new coding system before the October 1, 2014 deadline.  Ideally you are already in the process of switching your medical office over to the new coding protocol.  

Here are seven of the best implementation resources to assist you in the transition:

• The CMS Provider Resources Page: the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers resources for the entire healthcare industry that will help you learn about ICD-10-CM and make the switch.  These resources include timelines for implementation, checklists for medical offices, and rules and regulations that must be followed for implementation.  This is a great place to start in your efforts to learn more about the new coding system.
• The American Health Information Management Association’s ICD-10 Page: the AHIMA provides a good overview of what ICD-10 is and how it will impact healthcare.  The AHIMA’s Implementation Toolkit provides a breakdown of strategies and potential challenges to implementation. They also offer briefs about best practices for implementation and assistance for those that are looking to find trainers and consultants that can help your firm make the transition very smoothly.
• The American Academy Of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ Practice Management Center: although the AAOS requires a membership, they do offer some excellent resources for providers.  They target their information at Orthopaedic surgeons, so this resource is ideal for Orthopaedic practices that want to find information on ICD-10 that is tailored to their needs.
• ICD10Data.com: this web site is a free database of ICD-10 codes that allows you to familiarize yourself with the codes that your medical office will be using the most often.  Using the site’s conversion tool, you will also be able to convert ICD-9-CM codes over to ICD-10-CM, or vice versa.  This will help you identify and understand how commonly used ICD-9 codes will translate over into the new coding protocol.
• The Healthcare Information Services blog: Healthcare Information Services prides itself on providing timely, helpful updates to its readers about the latest happenings with ICD-10 and what these happenings mean to the medical community.  You will receive updates on this blog that will help you in all areas of medical coding in 2013 and 2014 including conversion strategies, training tips, timelines for conversion, and ways to assess the progress of your medical office.
• The Radiology Business Management Association’s ICD-10 Toolkit: The RBMA provides resources for practice leaders, billing managers, coders, marketers, and vendors.  To get your practice ready for for the new coding system, the RBMA offers customizable plans for implementation, education materials, and helpful links to publications that discuss pertinent issues affecting radiology coders and offer Q&A sessions that address common questions that today’s medical coders have about the future of coding.
• The American Academy Of Professional Coders’ ICD-10 Implementation Page: The AAPC offers valuable resources to help coders, managers, and physicians with the upcoming transition in coding protocol.  Materials offered by the AAPC on their site include online assessment courses, live conferences and boot camps, and books for sale.  You can also receive customized coding consulting and mapping designed specifically for your practice.

The ICD-10-CM switch is going to have a sweeping impact on healthcare offices.  Thankfully for doctors, nurses, and medical administrators, the internet has numerous resources available that will make it much easier for this conversion to occur.  Be certain that you capitalize on all of the resources available so that your team has a much easier time getting used to the new ICD-10 system of medical coding.

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