|Articles|November 23, 2015

Lessons learned from the ICD-10 transition

We asked our ICD-10 Diary physicians to weigh in on the pros and cons of the new code set. Here's what they said.

Name:

Hungerpiller, MDJeanne Hungerpiller, MD
Family medicine
Savannah, Georgia

Biggest ICD-10 obstacle (to date):  Ensuring that the ICD-10 code chosen is the most accurate one to replace the old ICD-9 code (mainly this happens when coding for Type 2 DM), and keeping my temper from flaring due to the amount of time I waste doing this.

Easiest ICD-10 obstacle (to date): Using our EHR’s search function to convert ICD-9 to ICD-10.

I was smart to invest my money / my practice's money in TRAINING to assist with ICD-10. We used our software vendor as well as outside sources.

Read previous Diary entries here

True or false: My practice would have been ready for the Oct. 1, 2014 launch date: False

Most used ICD-10 code at my practice:  I10 (Hypertension)

Favorite ICD-10 code: Any of the ridiculous accident-related codes.  Why do the ER docs get all the fun?

Least favorite ICD-10 code: E11 (Type 2 diabetes mellitus and all its million variations)

Best piece of advice to peers struggling with ICD-10:  Just wait-I think it may get worse when the insurance companies start getting pickier about precision in coding (sorry, I don’t think that’s what they want to hear, but I think it will be the case. I think anyone who isn’t feeling like they are struggling now is in for a bit of a surprise in the not-too-distant future).

Are you ready for ICD-11?  Oh, dear god, no!

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