Author Topic: Students and ICD-10  (Read 2622 times)

carflorida

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Students and ICD-10
« on: April 04, 2013, 06:17:31 PM »
Hello!
I am currently enrolled in a two year associate's degree program for Health Information Management. My classes covered clinical coding using both ICD-9 and ICD-10.

I will graduate this December. My question is: should I wait to take the CCS exam until ICD-10 has been implemented?

Is there even a difference in credentials between the two coding systems? In other words, if I am certified in ICD-9 would I need to be re-certified to code ICD-10?

Would employers prefer coding professionals that passed the CCS using ICD-10?


Thank you for any insight!

Billergirlnyc

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 106
Re: Students and ICD-10
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2013, 11:47:15 PM »
I'm pretty sure your school will tell you not to wait, well I hope they would. I wouldn't wait. I say get certified, get some experience under your belt in actually coding (or more if you do have some), and get the ICD-10 training while doing all of this. Either way everyone in the healthcare industry has to learn ICD-10 and knowing it before it's implemented can only be a plus for you, but I don't think you need to hold-off certification until it's implemented. No, get that as soon as you graduate.

AHIMA, which is who gives the CCS designation, is still training with the ICD-9 books and testing with them too. If I'm not mistaken they're also teaching ICD-10 with the course. The ICD-10 doesn't go into effect until October 1, 2014. You'll be taking the certification test with whatever books your class has specified, and I'm pretty sure it will be w/the ICD-9 until ICD-10 has actually been implemented. Knowing ICD-9 will only HELP you while training and transitioning over to ICD-10. I know the AAPC is making it mandatory that all of us who are certified through them (coders) take a test to prove we're proficient in ICD-10, which they're giving us until 2015 to complete.  Not to mention the ICD-10 counts towards CEU's, from my understanding, but as far as a designation to say which you were trained in, that I haven't seen or even heard about happening with either AAPC or AHIMA.

Check with your school about all of this as you're currently in the course and I'm sure the instructor/adviser can help guide you too.
As far as what employers will prefer. When ICD-10 has been fully implemented, I'm more than sure all employers will want to ensure you're trained and proficient in it as a coder, thus AAPC requiring it, and I'm sure AHIMA isn't too far behind what they'll require of coders already certified. But until ICD-10 is implemented employers will want coders with experience and knowledge of the systems currently in place.

Edited for clarification.  :)
« Last Edit: April 05, 2013, 03:49:16 PM by Billergirlnyc »
Don't worry. Be happy.
~Dalia, CPC, CPC-H, RHIT.

carflorida

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 5
Re: Students and ICD-10
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2013, 09:24:21 AM »
Perfect, thank you for your reply and advice! Later in the evening, after posting this, I did ask my academic adviser who also happens to be the HIM program manager. She also advised to not delay in taking both the RHIT and the CCS after graduation (December 2013).

She did state that I Will be required to take an additional exam to show proficiency in ICD-10 CM and PCS coding, and to add to the AHIMA CCS ICD-9 certification.

I know as of right now the AHIMA CCS exam is $3o0. I am researching what this extra exam will consist of, and its cost.

Billergirlnyc

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 106
Re: Students and ICD-10
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2013, 05:26:13 PM »
Great! Sounds like you're well on your way! I'm RHIT certified too, it's the best thing ever! Here is the pdf to the AHIMA ICD-10/PCS requirements for various certifications and how they count towards CEU's, etc. I also saw that we have until December 2014 to take the test for AHIMA to prove proficiency. http://www.ahima.org/downloads/pdfs/certification/ICD10_CEU_FAQs.pdf - it's 6 CEU's for RHITS and 18 for CCS, but I'm thinking you will get this in your course. I would ask them to be sure or maybe it's cheaper with your course?

Don't worry. Be happy.
~Dalia, CPC, CPC-H, RHIT.

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Students and ICD-10
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2013, 05:26:13 PM »