Practice Management Alert
Medicare Paves 'Road' to ICD-10 Readiness
Question: Our entire office is pitching in to prepare for the switch over to ICD-10 diagnosis codes this fall. I’ve been put in charge of a team that will formulate and manage our ICD-10 transition plan. I’m looking for resources that will help with our transition plan; can you help?
Tennessee Subscriber
Answer: First, and foremost, experts recommend getting a current ICD-10-CM book to review not only the codes, but also the ICD-10 directions and guidelines.
As an addendum to the ICD-10 books, CMS has ICD-10 help online. CMS has launched a site replete with ICD-10 review tools, crosswalks, and advice on how to stay ahead of the curve with ICD-10. CMS calls its site, www.roadto10.org, “your one-stop source for all things ICD-10.” You’ll find advice on building your ICD-10 transition plan and ICD-10 resources, tutorial videos, a template library, Webcasts, and more.
ICD-10 lists: One FAQ asks: “Where can I find a list of ICD-10 codes?” According to CMS, “The ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code sets, as well as the official ICD-10-CM guidelines, are available free of charge on the “2015 ICD-10-CM and GEMs” and “2015 ICD-10-PCS and GEMs” pages of the CMS ICD-10 website. Additionally, it is important to contact your payers and trading partners to request a copy of the crosswalk mapping tool they are utilizing to ensure its accuracy.”
Roadto10 also sports a nifty little tool for specialty-specific ICD-10 preparation: crosswalks for the top 10 diagnosis codes by specialty. The site currently includes lists for family practice, pediatrics, ob-gyn, cardiology, orthopedics, internal medicine, and other specialty.
Medicare also includes a Frequently Asked Questions section, where it answers pressing questions such as:
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