ICD-10

Reasons to Support ICD-10

As medical terminology, technology, medical diagnosis codes, and classification continue to evolve, so too must the technology related to classification change. Indeed, the continued proliferation of Electronic Health Records (EHR) implementation and advanced nature of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems promotes a more efficient state in health information exchange. As such, AHIMA promotes the adoption of International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition (ICD-10) standards in the United States to keep pace with these advances in health information management (HIM).

To offer further perspective into the need for the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10, it should be noted that ICD-10 is the first new diagnosis coding system adopted since the widespread use of computers in healthcare. To date, the United States is the only highly-developed country that fails to support the World Health Organization's (WHO) ICD-10 standards for both mortality and morbidity. For more information on ICD-10 standards, please view AHIMA's vast array of ICD-10 information and resources.

AHIMA's Advocacy Efforts

While it is understood that HIPAA guidelines require a specific process for the designation of coding standards, AHIMA urges the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as the healthcare industry as a whole, to actively promote the transition to ICD-10 codes. While ICD-10 was originally created to classify diseases and injuries, these standards also allow coding of ambulatory care conditions and risk factors met in primary care. To learn more about ICD-10 and the different variations today, please view AHIMA's convenient guide to understanding ICD-10 diagnosis codes.

AHIMA calls for the transition to ICD-10-CM (Clinical Modification) for diagnostic coding and ICD-10-PSC (Procedure Coding System) for hospital inpatient services coding by 2011. To show support and learn about the necessary actions for ICD-10 implementation, please visit the AHIMA Advocacy page.

Training and Education Material

AHIMA has long promoted education as a way to foster growth in HIM; the issue of ICD-10 is no exception. To that end, AHIMA offers online courses for those looking to learn more about ICD-10-CM. If you are interested, we strongly encourage you to peruse all of AHIMA's resources related to web-based or audio seminar ICD-10 training. Or learn more about the AHIMA book, ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Preview..

Please take a moment to review all of the resources and educational information that AHIMA has to offer, and get your facility and staff prepared for the transition to ICD-10 diagnosis codes.