How to Become ICD-10-CM Ready!

So What Has Changed?

Lets begin by identifying what has changed with ICD-10-CM 

●We have gone from mainly all numerical codes to alphanumeric

● Place holders were put in place on some codes to future expansion

● Title changes

● Directional changes in categories

● Name changes for codes

● Expansions for codes they may have only been one code for ICD-9

● Codes that were expanded previously may just be one code now

● Some codes deleted all together 

● Laterality on sites

● Understanding the new Excludes 1&2 difference

That's a lot of change right there and that was to name a few! But please understand this, there is no way you can 

learn all the codes , all the changes needed all at once. Ask yourself this question do you know all the ICD-9

codes?? Of course you don't but you are familiar enough to know how to handle your daily coding needs in order for your office to run somewhat smoothly. So if you don't know all the previous codes, stop trying to learn all the new ones. Focus on what you need to learn, focus on what will make your office transition into this change smoothly,  and focus on the issues that may cause some reimbursement challenges in the future.  That is how you become ICD-10 ready.