Radiology Coding Alert

If you aren't curious about how the ICD-9 codes in "Add 2 More ICD-9 Weapons to Your Diagnostic Test Arsenal" crosswalk to ICD-10, maybe you should be.

"The transition date for ICD-10 codes is Oct 1, 2013," stressed CMS's Stewart Streimer during a CMS-sponsored Open Door Forum. "That's really the drop-dead date for those of you that have familiarized yourselves with the Final Rule regarding ICD-10 ... but there are a lot of things that must happen before then, and I expect many of the payers may even require ICD-10 codes before then so a sufficient amount of testing can take place," he said.

Today isn't too soon to start thinking about ICD-10, says Helen Avery, CPC-I, CHC, senior coding and revenue cycle consultant at Los Angeles-based Sinaiko Healthcare Consulting Inc. The more familiar you are with the changes, the easier the transition will be. "Obtain education and understanding early on so that you will be well equipped. Start by speaking with your physicians now about improving their clinical documentation detail which will be the most important aspect for them and should be started prior to the change," Avery says.

Coders also should be involved when practices communicate with "information system vendors (for EMR, claims processing, etc.) about their plans for the new code set implementation," advises Avery.

Starting point: This rundown based on the ICD-10 2010 files posted at www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD10/02k_2010_ICD_10_CM.asp will help give you an idea of what to expect. You can also find the 2010 ICD-10 index and tabular list at www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm#10update. But remember, your final ICD-10 code choice will depend on the codes and guidelines in effect at that time, as well as the physician's specific documentation.