AAPC Physician Services Regional Director and ICD-10 instructor Betty Johnson was recently featured in For the Record magazine, encouraging coders to "bone up" on anatomy, physiology, medical terminology and pathophysiology education for ICD-10, according to an AAPC release.
Ms. Johnson emphasized that for ICD-10, a good understanding of anatomy and physiology is essential. A coder should know the organ systems and their components, such as the names of the eight carpal bones that form the wrist, each of which carries a different ICD-10-CM code for a traumatic fracture.
From a procedural standpoint, she pointed out that ICD-10-PCS expands codes for a coronary artery bypass graft from nine under ICD-9-CM to 34 for ICD-10-PCS. She added that ICD-10-PCS codes are seven characters in length and include information on the organ system, body part, root operation and approach. Even experienced coders may struggle to adapt to the new specificity of this coding system, as the medical terminology in ICD-10-PCS may differ from what coders are currently using.
Ms. Johnson recommended that all coding staff be assessed on their current level of expertise with a baseline quiz. From there, facilities can address education issues and form a plan to prepare staff for Oct. 1, 2013. If staff has gone several years without anatomy and physiology training, education may take a significant amount of time, so hospitals and other facilities should start planning now.
Read the For the Record report featuring AAPC's Betty Johnson.
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Ms. Johnson emphasized that for ICD-10, a good understanding of anatomy and physiology is essential. A coder should know the organ systems and their components, such as the names of the eight carpal bones that form the wrist, each of which carries a different ICD-10-CM code for a traumatic fracture.
From a procedural standpoint, she pointed out that ICD-10-PCS expands codes for a coronary artery bypass graft from nine under ICD-9-CM to 34 for ICD-10-PCS. She added that ICD-10-PCS codes are seven characters in length and include information on the organ system, body part, root operation and approach. Even experienced coders may struggle to adapt to the new specificity of this coding system, as the medical terminology in ICD-10-PCS may differ from what coders are currently using.
Ms. Johnson recommended that all coding staff be assessed on their current level of expertise with a baseline quiz. From there, facilities can address education issues and form a plan to prepare staff for Oct. 1, 2013. If staff has gone several years without anatomy and physiology training, education may take a significant amount of time, so hospitals and other facilities should start planning now.
Read the For the Record report featuring AAPC's Betty Johnson.
Related Articles on Billing, Coding and Collections:
Surgery Center Coding Guidance: Posterior/Posterolateral Fusions
Humana Raises Full Year Profit Forecast, Begins Paying Dividend Following Lowered Costs
Nebraska Hospital Uncovers $15M in Revenue Through Documentation, Training