Physicians: Get Ready For ICD-10

AHIMA reassures webinar participants about benefits, use of the coding system

ICD-10 is not difficult to learn and use and physician practices need to get ready, according to Sue Bowman, senior director, coding policy and compliance, American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Speaking on a webinar offered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service, Bowman presented basic information on ICD-10-CM to an audience of thousands of medical coders, physicians, physician office staff, nurses and other non-physician practitioners, provider billing staff, health records staff, vendors, educators, system maintainers, laboratories, and Medicare providers.

She also highlighted the benefits of the new system, which will be implemented Oct. 1, 2014, including improved efficiencies and lower costs, reduced coding errors, greater achievement of the benefits of an electronic health record and increased value in the US investment in SNOMED-CT.

“This system recognizes the advances in medicine and technology, and will provide better data for measuring the quality, safety and efficacy of care,” said Bowman. “The benefits are numerous, and we’re confident ICD-10 will improve clinical, financial and administrative performance.”

Bowman shared several examples of how codes will change in ICD-10-CM.  She also encouraged attendees to identify clinical documentation improvement opportunities that would support multiple healthcare initiatives, not just ICD-10.

“AHIMA is here to help as our healthcare system prepares for this exciting change,” said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, CAE, FACHE, FAHIMA. “Our members across the country stand ready to offer support, and we have a number of resources available on our website to offer guidance.”

About AHIMA
Celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, AHIMA represents more than 67,000 educated health information management professionals in the United States and around the world. AHIMA is committed to promoting and advocating for high quality research, best practices and effective standards in health information and to actively contributing to the development and advancement of health information professionals worldwide. AHIMA’s enduring goal is quality healthcare through quality information. For more information, visit www.ahima.org.