Medical Billing Forum

Coding => Coding => : Ryanne May 16, 2015, 01:32:33 AM

: ICD10 codes. Curious
: Ryanne May 16, 2015, 01:32:33 AM
I'm just wondering - what is the reasoning behind this change over to ICD10 codes?  They are getting so precise, down to every fine detail.  Is it just to make our lives more complicated?  To have more excuses to deny claims?  Another reason to ask for more clinical notes and more proof of patient care in order to delay payments to providers?   People at HHS just don't have enough work to do?  What is the reason?
: Re: ICD10 codes. Curious
: PMRNC May 16, 2015, 11:17:38 AM
ICD-10 will make many things easier which in effect will have better impact on patient care. ICD-9 is about 35 years old, outdated terminology, limited research data, etc. With more codes there will be more accurate diagnosing and more accurate diagnostics research. They have been using ICD-10 in other countries since 1994.. Us American's are always scared of change. :o

 
: Re: ICD10 codes. Curious
: Ryanne May 19, 2015, 05:15:43 AM
Thanks for answering, but for right now - it doesn't seem to be "easier".    We barely have enough hours in the day to keep up with our regular work.   I understand no one likes change, but is health care A LOT better in Europe?   
: Re: ICD10 codes. Curious
: RichardP May 19, 2015, 12:24:21 PM
Ryanne - the push to use EMRs and the change-over to ICD-10 are not for the purpose of improving patient care.  Rather, the push for both is to improve data collection.  There may be some benefit from this data collection down the road if "best practices" can emerge for disease management.  But there is not any short-term benefit to the patient - just to the data collectors.