Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: I know ICD-10 is being released in October of 2013; how much training will it require to implement? Should our coding group begin training now? Oklahoma Subscriber Answer: The challenge for many anesthesia groups with ICD-10 is the same as you've had with ICD-9 -- physicians providing detailed diagnosis information that allows you to choose something other than an unlisted or unspecified code.In May 2008, CMS undertook a formaltesting process asking credentialed health information management professionals -- coders like you -- who hadno previous ICD-10 experience to code almost 6,200 medical records. Prior to the test, the participants received two hours of noninteractive training. The testers' coding accuracy and comprehension of how to use ICD-10 were surprisingly good. Test participants who coded the records said ICD-10 was easier than expected, leading the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) to conclude that intensive coder training should occur only three to six months [...]