ICD-10 is 55 days away. Are you ready?

PracticeMax • August 6th, 2015

The ICD-10 deadline of October 1, 2015 is approaching quickly but there is still time to prepare! The CMS ICD-10 Quick Start Guide is a FREE tool that can help practices make the most out of the next 55 days.

CMS ICD-10 Quick Start Guide
This document covers the 5 important steps health care professionals can take to incorporate ICD-10 in their practice during the next 55 days. We’ve provided highlights for each of the steps below. It’s not too late to get started!

Step 1: Make a Plan
Get access to ICD-10 codes; there are a variety of sources including:

  • Coding books
  • CDs/DVDs
  • Online (www.mycodingtools.com)
  • CMS (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/2016-ICD-10-CM-and-GEMs.html)
  • Practice management and EHR systems
  • Smart phone apps such as MaxMobile from PracticeMax

Step 2: Train Your Staff
Take advantage of a multitude of valuable resources to train your staff on the fundamentals of ICD-10:

  • PracticeMax (ICD-10 educational emails, specialty specific coding presentations, email support for ICD-10 questions ([email protected]) and focused documentation reviews for ICD-10 preparedness
  • CMS
    • Road to 10 (www.roadto10.org)
    • Email updates (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/CMS_ICD-10_Industry_Email_Updates.html)
    • National provider calls (http://www.eventsvc.com/blhtechnologies)
    • Webinars (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/CMS-Sponsored-ICD-10-Teleconferences.html)
    • Check with medical societies, local health organizations, hospitals & health systems and health plans about available resources and training
    • Identify your top 25 codes in ICD-9 and start reviewing the coding and documentation requirements for ICD-10. Remember that PracticeMax is here to help you.

Step 3: Update Your Processes

  • Update paper and electronic forms including superbills and CMS 1500s
  • Consider transitioning to electronic forms instead of superbills for increased efficiency
  • Acquire a web based electronic charge documentation tool like MaxMobile
  • MaxMobile helps providers automate the administrative task of encounter coding while yielding improved cash flow and clinical efficiencies
  • Identify any areas of documentation that are insufficient in order to capture ICD-10 codes and plan for continuous monitoring for documentation improvement
  • Clinical documentation must incorporate new ICD-10 concepts including laterality, severity, trimester for pregnancy, diabetes and its complications, and types of fractures

Step 4: Talk to Your Vendors and Health Plans

  • PracticeMax has been hard at work preparing for the transition to ICD-10 by updating systems, training staff, testing with payors, and providing education to our clients
  • Check with your other vendors to ensure they are ready for ICD-10
  • Ask about testing opportunities with your vendors

Step 5: Test Your Systems and Processes

  • Be sure to test your systems BEFORE the October 1 transition deadline
  • Reach out to a PracticeMax representative for assistance with process development and testing

With only 55 days until the ICD-10 deadline, there isn’t much time left. If you start now, you can prepare your practice for a successful transition.