It’s 2014 now, and for many in healthcare IT are still stuck on their transition from ICD 9 to ICD 10˳ The deadline (1st October) is approaching fast and a lot of people are still confused and lost as to what to do and how to go about getting ready˳ According to the work-group for Electronic Data Inter-change, their surveys published in mid of December last year revealed that 80% of the survey participants have not yet begun testing, and only half of them have undergone the initial-step of conducting an impact-assessment˳
Most are likely still waiting for the IT vendors, where 40% of them reporting that their products will not be ready before 2014, while 20% are only halfway through upgrading their software for ICD 10˳ The concerns are starting to pile up, triggering various discussions and speculations on whether there will be another delay and enforcement free periods˳
Earlier, the NCHICA selected the best coders from more than 300 participating member organizations to do 20 scenarios dual coded in ICD 9 and ICD 10˳ They report that only 55% were accurate, and a 2nd wave saw a 63% accuracy rate˳ Peer reviews also reported that some of the selected coders weren’t even using ICD 9 correctly˳ This underscores just how badly the industry need a supply of certified coders well versed in ICD 10˳
As part of their initiative to smooth the transition from ICD 9 to ICD 10, the AAPC is offering custom ICD 10 services to ensure smooth and manageable transition˳ Part of it is the AAPC’s ICD-10-CM Proficiency Assessment online test that certified coders have to complete in order to keep their credentials˳ After a lot of guessing and waiting it has been revealed that the deadline for passing the proficiency test is now set to 30th September 2015˳ This gave people a 2 year time frame beginning from 1st of October 2013˳ Coders who fail to pass this hurdle before the deadline will lose their credentials (aside from CPPM, CPCO and CIRCC) and have to retake it again˳ So if you hold a CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, or CPMA credential, you’ll need to show high level of ICD-10-CM proficiency by completing and passing the assessment˳
So what is the silver lining to all this doom and gloom? For one, it means there is huge demand right now and in the future for certified coders who are proficient in ICD 10˳ Those who pass the ICD 10 proficiency assessment test will have the best job offers and prospects waiting for them right now˳ Once you’re proficient and suitably qualified you can also become an ICD 10 trainer to take advantage of this huge boom in demand for ICD 10 training˳
Source by https://ezinearticles˳com/?The-Industry-Needs-ICD-10-Proficient-Coders—This-Means-You&id=8342190
