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March 23, 2011

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ICD-10 : A Practical Guide to Conversion: Part IV: Time for Training

M aking time for training in ICD-10 conversion is not a one-size-fits-all or one-shot deal.  A wide variety of people in your organization will need several different kinds and levels of ICD-10 training, from a top level overview for executives to in-depth code set training with continuing updates into the foreseeable future for coders and billers.

Where to get the training and how much it will cost are also open questions with various possible answers, the best of which depends on your internal resources and existing processes. (Do you do your own coding and billing or use a third-party?  Does your organization employ just a few doctors or a large staff of them?  How far along is your organization in using EHRs?  Can you blend ICD-10 training costs into your current training budget?)

Whether it's time to get going is perfectly clear--CMS has repeated its conviction over and over, reiterating its "no delays, no grace period" stance for non-compliant entities applying for payment using 4010 codes after December 2011.  ICD9 codes will be completely replaced by ICD-10  as of October, 2013 .

Who Needs Training?  

Coders and billers need the most specialized training right now and will also need continuing updates as the deadline for conversion nears (and beyond) as the code set matures.  Physicians, physician extenders, and administrative and clinical staff also need significant training since they'll need to know how to align their diagnoses and procedure documentation with the new code set.  Executives and other management staff in your organization should receive training at a summary level to create a level of awareness and understanding of the importance of the switch to ICD-10.

Where Should We Go for Training?

In general, do be aware that the final rule does not specify any particular type of training or training curricula required under the rule.  Several professional coding organizations and other training providers offer training programs and certifications related to ICD-10 compliance.  

In terms of training for your organization, there are at least three possibilities to consider and plan for: 

• Develop your own training programs , completely customized to your own organization; 

Developing your own program while definitely the most expensive option, may be the best approach for larger organizations with a very large staff to train.  Larger organizations also are more likely to have access to internal training program development expertise, subject matter experts, staff trainers, training facilities and the other resources it takes to develop and present professional training.

• Purchase or enroll in programs developed by third party providers; or

There are many options here.  The best programs are probably the ones developed by professional coding organizations.  Many other for-profit and non-profit organizations offer similar training programs live and online. 

• Locate and assign staff to take "free" training programs .

"Free" training sometimes ends up costing more than paying to develop your own training or adopting a third party training program.  For example, free training usually doesn't come with the benefit of a live, in-person trainer.   Industry experts can speak from experience and help explain what information or practical steps are key and what is more just a point of information  . . .  and self-directed training can sometimes mean un directed training, where trainees may skim over important information, miss out on the benefits of interaction with a trainer and class members, and not have a chance to ask questions and receive clarifications.

Probably the best option for most organizations will be a hybrid approach that combines a certain amount of internal development and planning around free and for-purchase resources.

Whatever you decide, it's time to make a decision and move forward with your plan for training.

To find out how PBN can help your practice move forward with ICD-10, contact . . .

PBN Business Development, 800.288.4901 or 

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Overland Park, KS 66210 | 800.288.4901 | pbnmed.com

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Inside the

Cramming for the test . . .  

Each day of the first full week of April, 2011 (the 4th through the 8th), HIMSS (the Healthcare Information and Managment Systems Society) and HBMA (the Healthcare Billing and Management Association) are sponsoring a series of webinars designed to help small medical practices learn from the 5010 testing experiences of other practices. 

You're invited.

The series includes seminars covering real-world testing experiences, including:

• internal testing in small and large practices,  

• testing Medicare Fee for Service transactions, 

• testing with clearinghouses, and 

• testing with commercial payers. 

Sign up through the getready5010.org website or directly through the HIMSS WebEx site . 

(If you've already got lunch plans or missed the seminars, check out the getready5010.org resource page , where this and similar seminars are or will be posted.)

Why a 5010 testing seminar while we're pushing ICD-10 compliance?  Remember that on January 1, 2012, you must convert from the current 4010 to the new 5010 transaction and code sets as a precursor to ICD-10 (the new code sets allow for the larger field size requirements and other improvements in ICD-10).

Whether you're a current PBN client or not, we'd be happy to help you get started.

Check out the seminars, then give us a call. 

— Jud

Jud Neal, PBN President & CEO

Coming Next Month . . .

ICD-10: A Practical Guide to Conversion: Part V - Putting it All Together

Visit us online at the new PBNMed.com.