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O U T P A T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5
Your Last-Minute ICD-10 Checklist
13 steps to take before the new coding system kicks in next month.
W
ith just a
month
to go
until ICD-10 goes
live, if you've been
hoping for another
delay, or lagging
behind on your prep
work, you should be
worried — very wor-
ried. The new com-
plex coding system is replacing ICD-9 and will be required on all med-
ical claims starting Oct. 1. If you haven't made much progress (or
have been crossing your fingers that it's all a bad dream), it's time to
get serious. With the ICD-10 transition date just around the corner,
here are 13 to-do items to help you survive.
Identify your champion(s) — or create one
If you haven't yet, appoint 1 person — with a backup, if avail-
able — as the ICD-10 champion of your facility. This person should be
trained and have a good understanding of ICD-10. Your champion can
help others troubleshoot problems as they arise and be the point per-
son for all questions from staff and surgeons. By having a single per-
son ready to tackle any and all things ICD-10, it helps minimize confu-
sion and establish a clear line of inquiry and resolution.
Identify those likely to need assistance
Just as it's important to identify champions, it's also crucial to
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C O D I N G & B I L L I N G
6WHYH6LVNR
z CODING CONFUSION ICD-10 is just around the corner … are you ready?
Pamela
Bevelhymer,
RN,
BSN
