With approval from the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that October 1, 2011 is the deadline for the healthcare industry to implement new ICD-10 diagnosis codes in the United States. There is potential that implementing ICD-10 codes will be a challenging process, especially for the unprepared. While there are organizational and structural similarities between ICD-9 and ICD-10 diagnosis codes, there are fundamental differences between the old and new sets, complicated by approximately thirty years worth of deteriorating health data. AHIMA recognizes the industry-wide importance of switching to ICD-10 codes in addition to recognizing the difficulties and challenges that go along with a switch.
AHIMA has lobbied the Department of Health and Human Services for over a decade, advocating the benefits of adopting ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Throughout the lobbying process, AHIMA has applied the experience and knowledge gained over the years into an extensive library of training materials, educational resources and publications available either free of charge or for purchase on the AHIMA website. Signing up to receive AHIMA's free newsletter is a good place to begin learning more about the health information management industry and ICD-10 code implementation.
To effectively implement ICD-10 diagnosis codes, AHIMA believes that careful planning will make the process less complicated and challenging. AHIMA recommends that you build you planning base with the purchase of our ICD-10 coding book, ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Preview, second edition. This comprehensive ICD-10 coding book is an excellent resource for all health information management professionals and should be used as a guide as you prepare your facility to implement ICD-10 codes.
Additional resources are necessary to plan for successful ICD-10 code implementation. For AHIMA members, AHIMA offers an exhaustive body of accessible information called The FORE Library: HIM Body of Knowledge. The FORE Library offers journal articles, whitepapers, icd-10 coding books, government documents and links to relevant HIM documents on medical diagnosis codes.
Non-members can access a considerable amount of information and resources on implementing ICD-10 diagnosis codes as well. AHIMA's ICD-10 codes page is the gateway to resources on preparation and implementation. AHIMA offers the basics such as a complimentary podcast about ICD-10 codes entitled: "ICD-10 Implementation: What's Next?" - an excellent educational resource. In addition to a host of webinars available for purchase, AHIMA offers a complimentary webinar entitled "Beginning the Transition to ICD-10" that focuses on managing the transition to ICD-10. Finally, AHIMA offers a host of educational and training materials all geared toward equipping the HIM professional for implementation. Educational primers, icd-10 coding books, whitepapers, preparation checklists, educational articles and glossaries are all available to HIM professionals interested in preparing themselves for implementation.
Don't let implementing ICD-10 medical diagnosis codes become any more challenging than necessary. Utilize the years of knowledge and expertise AHIMA has accumulated to ensure that you are adequately prepared to implement ICD-10 codes. Please contact AHIMA if you need more information or if you have questions regarding medical diagnosis codes and implementing ICD-10.
[ About AHIMA | Schools/Jobs | Professional Development | HIM Resources | Foundation | Help | Site Map ]