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ICD10 two years extension - extension

Posted: May 18, 2012

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/ama-calls-2-year-extension-icd-10-deadline

extension extended again - someone

[ In Reply To ..]
So, it is probably better to wait to enroll in Andrews for a couple of years.

Why does that have anything to do with enrolling in - Andrews???

[ In Reply To ..]
What does any delay in implementation of ICD-10 have to do with when you should enroll in Andrew?
That makes no sense.

Your post looks like it s trolling.

delay in ICD-10 - someone

[ In Reply To ..]
I don't know what "trolling" is, and I am not trying to make any trouble here. My only concern is that the "fresher" your coding studying is, the closer it is to the time that you would be getting a job in coding, the better coder you would be, not having to try to remember what the heck you learned two years back. Please clear this up for me. Doesn't that make sense? If not, please help me to understand why it's good to study at any coding school now, rather than wait until it's closer to the time you would be using your new skills. Thank you.

Here's what I think they are saying to you - My Opinion

[ In Reply To ..]
The best coders in the future are going to be those who understand the previous system, ICD-9-CM as well as ICD-10. If you don't have knowledge of both, you are going to have holes in your understanding. You might say it this way. In order to understand the present and future, you have to have an understanding of the past. Also, if I were doing it I would go get your CCS using ICD-9, while you still can. That puts you ahead of those who only know ICD-10.

delay in beginning studying coding - someone

[ In Reply To ..]
Are you saying if I wait too long I would not be able to get training in ICD-9? Thanks.

Once all training is in ICD-10, ICD-9 training will be history - Right!

[ In Reply To ..]
Nobody knows the timing on any of this, but once the dust settles, all training will be on ICD-10. Personally, I think it's a major advantage to know both well. It gives you a major advantage over those who only know about one. Those people will only understand about half of the conversations and instructions.

ICD-9 will be history - someone

[ In Reply To ..]
I agree with you 100%, just never thought about the fact that if I wait too long I will not be able to learn ICD-9!!!!!!

Thank you so much for such helpful information; I appreciate it.

Hope I can clear this up . . . - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Something is awry there, but I am not sure what. You seem to have the wrong idea about coding, or training, or something.

There is no reason to delay a move to a new profession. Doing so will serve no purpose. Absolutely none. If someone has told you otherwise, they are wrong.

I have been a coder for years. When I code now I use ICD-9-CM and HCPCS. I also know ICD-10. Although I do not use it to code cases yet, my work requires that I keep it in mind for planning and future needs. I also teach it to coders so they will be ready when the time comes. Because I do more than straight coding, I also know about and deal with other terminologies and classification systems like SNOMED and LOINC. That enables me to see the forest instead of just one or two trees.

When the switch occurs, everything that was coded using ICD-9 will STAY coded that way. Any services done prior to the switch date will still be coded in 9. Anything from before that date needing to be amended or reworked will still be done in 9. Auditors will still be auditing those dates in 9. Data collected in 9 will remain in 9 and data analysts will be using that data in 9 for years.

I do not understand why you feel you will need to wait 2 years to use what you would learn now. You will learn 9 now and get a job coding in 9. Closer to the switch date, you would simply learn 10 to be ready for the switch.

Schools do not teach 10 now, except as a supplement, because you need 9 now to get a job.

You seem to think that if you learn 9 now you will waste it and have to learn to code all over again. That is entirely untrue. Learning coding involves more than just learning about the code set. The code set is a small part of learning to code.

People seem to come here thinking coding is copying numbers onto a claim. It is not. If people do that, they are not coding.

Coding involves a knowledge of the diseases, conditions, circumstances, and procedures that are being coded. It also involves skill and ability in reading medical documentation, knowledge of medical records and what we code and when, and the mental capacity to sort it all out. That is not going to change.

Pneumonia and sepsis are not going to change. People are not going to get sick differently. Human anatomy will not change. Drugs and treatments will continue curing or injuring people just like they do now. Medical record documentation will remain the same. Hospitals will still admit and discharge the same. The intellectual skill required for coding will remain the same.

Nothing will change about learning that part of coding.

What changes? Not much. For diagnoses, there are some improvements in the numbering system that allow for expansion as medical knowledge grows. The numbers change and there are some diferences in the guidelines, but the classification system is much the same. If you use 9 you can use 10 with a few hours of instruction and practice. It is mostly just a matter of seeing some differences and adapting to them. You use the code set the same way.

The ICD-10 procedure code set is completely different. Instead of selecting a code, you build the code. As different as it is, you will not be wasting anything you have already learned. You will just be adding more to it. Also, only inpatient hospital coders need to bother with it. That is kind of sad for the rest, because it is enormous fun. Everyone will still need to know CPT.

We do not "learn the codes." We just learn to use the code sets. We look up the codes.

Some long-time coders fear the switch because they rely on prodigious memories that can recall loads of codes. That is not going to be a problem for YOU, so do not listen to their opinions and concerns.

The move to 10 is going to be very good for you, especially if you start learning coding now, get your certifications and a job, and position yourself to take advantage of opportunities.

When I read your question and responses, I get the impression that you think coding doesn't exist now, or that coding courses only teach ICD-10 now, or I don't know what. Whatever it is, it is completely off the mark. You really do appear to have the wrong idea driving your decisions.

I hope that what I explained here will help you. If you have specific questions, I will answer them.

Cleared this up - someone

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you; I understand.

ICD-10 will be taught as a supplement - so that will be an additional cost?

I do not think you can assume that - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Whether that will be an additional cost or not depends on the school. I suggest that you ask the school.

I cannot imagine why it would be extra if it is what you need to know to work. You might want to include their answer in your decision.

A lot of employers are providing training for their employees. Others are not.

Some schools are looking to make a buck on this. I doubt if Andrews is because they support their students forever. My guess is that they will make training available to all their graduates at no cost or minimal cost. Maybe you would need to buy the book or something like that. They do have a couple of AHIMA-Approved ICD-10 Trainers on staff, so they are clearly intending to do this right.

This is why it makes sense - CCS, CPC

[ In Reply To ..]
You are going to go to school, learn what they teach now, and get a job using that knowledge now. It is good to study NOW so that you can get a job NOW.

Coding exists NOW. It is not a job that will begin in 2014.

For some reason, you seem to thnk Andrews is teaching only ICD-10. That is crazy. They teach coding using ICD-9, which is what you need to work until the end of 2014.

Please note that the AMA does not decide on the implementation date. CMS decides that. The AMA just suggested an extra year in their comment on the proposed delay to 2014. It is still not known if the delay will become official.

That really makes no sense - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
That makes no sense at all. Even when (if) they do make the switch, coders are going to need to know both ICD-9 and ICD-10. The time to get in there and learn is before the transition.

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