ICD-10 Coding Books

After a decade of lobbying the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)and other advocacy efforts, AHIMA has succeeded in initiating the change from ICD-9 to ICD-10 codes. AHIMA has recognized that the now thirty year old ICD-9 code set has exceeded its useful lifespan and is no longer able to accurately take on the needs of a rapidly evolving global healthcare industry. AHIMA believes that adhering to ICD-9 would contribute to the further deterioration of healthcare data and would hamper advancements in quality management, pay-for-performance, error reduction and public health reporting in the future. Because of AHIMA's advocacy efforts, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognized the need to upgrade to a modern set of medical diagnosis codes and have notified the healthcare industry that ICD-10 diagnosis codes will be taking effect October 1, 2011.

To stay up to date on the migration to ICD-10 codes, and on AHIMA's advocating efforts, sign up for the free AHIMA newsletter.

ICD-10 Diagnosis Code Advocacy

Utilizing multiple approaches, AHIMA's advocacy involved a multi-front effort focused on educating the Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS (the organization in charge of maintaining medical diagnosis codes), the US government and healthcare professionals about the benefits of adopting ICD-10 diagnosis codes. AHIMA encouraged the HHS to expedite adoption and the implementation of ICD-10 codes in all healthcare settings and inpatient services. To encourage conversion, AHIMA sought support from the US congress to fund the healthcare industry for adoption and implementation of ICD-10 diagnosis codes.

ICD-10 Preparation Resources

Throughout the lobbying process, AHIMA applied the knowledge and expertise that was gained into a body of literature and made it available to all Health Information Management (HIM) professionals. With the mandated change in medical diagnosis codes comes a change in the healthcare industry, as it must now upgrade to 21st century coding standards. AHIMA believes preparation is the key to implementation, and the key to preparation is education. AHIMA seeks to educate the healthcare industry, and specifically the Health Information Management industry, through the use of ICD-10 coding books, journals and publications, whitepapers and reports and the AHIMA member accessed The FORE Library: HIM Body of Knowledge. Many of the resources AHIMA has produced are available free of charge to HIM professionals and the rest are available to AHIMA online members.

Because of the complexity of ICD-10 codes, effective planning and preparation is imperative to successful implementation of ICD-10. In addition to the resources available on the AHIMA website, the second edition of the icd-10 coding book ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Preview is now available for purchase. This ICD-10 coding book utilizes AHIMA's years of advocacy experience and is the complete guide to education and implementation of ICD-10 for healthcare professionals involved with the conversion to ICD-10.

AHIMA's advocacy experience with ICD-10 codes provides the resources you will need including whitepapers, webinars, and icd-10 coding books to help guide you as you adopt and implement the new system. If you have questions or are looking for additional resources, please contact AHIMA.