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Question for working coders re ICD-10 - Wondering

Posted: Jan 13, 2012

I am considering coding as a career. Are current coders being trained already in ICD-10? Would I be expected to know how to code this way or will my employer supply the training? I am willing to do the training on my own, but was wondering the time frame for implementation of ICD-10, so I can plan my training and job search accordingly. Also what would this mean in terms of credentials? CCS test to include both 9 and 10, or is this all too far in the future? I would expect to be looking for a job sometime next year. TIA! The coders on this board are the best!

Please clarify one thing - Coder

[ In Reply To ..]
Are you planing on teaching yourself? It is not clear from your post. My answer depends on that. I do not want to write a mile on a mobile device only to have you say I misunderstood what you wanted. I can answer the following without that, though.

Yes, current coders are learning it. You should expect to provide your own training in it. Some employers may provide it, but professionals expect to take reponsibility for themselves.

Implementation is October 2013. You will need to know it before then. You will still need to know 9.

I do not think anyone knows about the CCS yet. AHIMA is requiring hours of training for their certified coders. AAPC is requiring theirs to take an online test.

It's too early to learn ICD-10 now since it's still changing and the best books not publis - unless you mean just an overview course

[ In Reply To ..]
There are some overview courses now, but the real ICD-10 courses won't start until the most reputable books are published, and that won't happen until it's set. You can take an overview or introductory course now, but it's really too early.

Thank you, you answered my question! - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
Thank you for responding. I am going to go with Andrews to learn 9. I went to the AHIMA website and their training modules for 10 are even not available yet, so hopefully I won't be too far behind in learning 10, certainly before the deadline. I do want to make myself as marketable as possible with a CCS, CPC and be ready to go with 10.

You're fine with that - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Andrews will take care of you, I am sure. First you need to learn 9 very well. Get your credentials. Then, it is just a transition to 10.

I have already learned 10. It you do 9, credentials, 10, you won't have a problem. It will be easy.

I do advise one thing, since the time is short. Remember I said we do not know about the CCS exam? At some point it will either add 10 or change to it. You need to get that credential before it does that.

Here's why . . . the CCS will involve 10 procedures. They are completely different. You want to get the CCS BEFORE they add those. Trust me on this. (The CPC is not going to cover the procedures. You want to take that test, but there is no urgency over the procedures.)

They change the exam yearly, I think, so I wonder if there might be 10 on that exam as soon as this time next year.

My advice is that you plan out their course with the intent to finish in 9 or 10 months. You already know a lot of background, so you can get through the material faster. If you do that and take your exams soon after, you will have an easier time of it. After you then update to 10, you will be in a great position for a job. A lot of coders are expected to leave the field and there will be more coding positions opening because it is expected to take longer to code in 10, which will hamper productivity.

Get a calendar from www dot calendarsthatwork dot com and use it. Study with purpose and drive, like there is a fire under you. Most people who have a job have difficulty getting motivated. They think they are not ready to move, so they have time, and they just drift along without any urgency. (A lot of them never get done, which is why some schools can afford to offer low tuition--they make it up many times over in extensions.)

You need to use this upcoming change as a reason to get done. And DO IT. I think you will be happier with yourself and with the results if you do. Do not wait or delay on this.

Have we met? - Wondering

[ In Reply To ..]
You wrote that post like you know me. I am SO motivated to move on and away from MT. I love learning new things and am looking forward to being a coder. Thank you for the encouragement and I will be getting started ASAP.

Not ASAP...get started now, today, this evening - Start written plan now OR

[ In Reply To ..]
ASAP is kind of vague unless you are dealing with blood and body parts. Just do something now, today, tonight. Do something every day for 21 days , preferably at the same time, and incorporate your coding when your books arrive. This forms a habit which will seem normalby then, not an intrusion.

Start a calendar. Review all of med terms to finish before your books arrive. Find ICD 9 and 10 on the CMS website, read about them, Google them, and write a summary. There are coding and billing freebies from CMS which you can look over; they are intended for office staff and doctors. They are in the Medicare Learning Network part of the website.

A very good thing to do would be to get that DRG PowerPoint that was shared here. That is where you are going . . . that is your goal. You might not understand it but keep it in a binder and refer to it to see that you are learning about it. See how much you can understand now, google the terms, and measure your progress.

Coding is mostly self-teaching. Coding school tells you things but the most important thing is not learning facts. It is learning how to code correctly and how to continue learning. I spend most of my time learning new or changing things and looking up information, not using known facts. You can learn a lot about the field before you start school.

Notice how confusing the Medicare stuff must be for doctors. It is as confusing for them as it is for you, but 10x as annoying. You will help them with that. That is another goal, perspective, and understanding that can guide you.

See if you can find some documentation requirements. Google to find the "1995 evaluation and management guidelines" and the same for 1997. Look at what they are expected to document, but don't worry if the numbers are confusing. It is confusing for them and they HATE those guidelines and the horse they ride in on. How can your MT background help them with that? Do you think that might be a job area where you can shine?

Look at that and think about the usual coding student who is not an MT. They do not even know the words, much less the report content. How far ahead of them will you be? Most of them do not recognize anything in ICD 9 except flu and foot fungus. How far ahead will you be?

Something to keep you busy and help you avoid any possible frustration . . .

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