Lots to Learn
I'm always amazed by just how much there is to learn in the HIM field, and that's never more apparent than when I'm out at conferences. This year's AHIMA Convention has been packed with interesting sessions and general sessions that really show just how much things are changing in the field, and how anyone in the HIM profession is indeed a lifelong learner.
The urge to learn will definitely come in handy with ICD-10 on the horizon. Everywhere I turn here in Seattle at the convention, people have ICD-10 on their minds, and RAC audits are right up there, as well.
I attended the AHIMA press conference today on ICD-10. AHIMA CEO Linda Kloss, RHIA, FAHIMA, stressed the importance of ICD-10 and how the longer we as a nation wait to ditch ICD-9, the costlier it will be for everyone. "The longer the U.S. delays in implementing ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS, the more information systems and software programs will need to be converted retroactively, resulting in higher conversion costs projected for hospitals, physicians and other health care entities," Kloss stated.
Here at the conference, I've been trying to gauge the reaction to the announcement that ICD-10 will soon be a reality. I'm hearing an anxious excitement. HIM professionals are worried about their historical data that will be in the outdated ICD-9 system and whether or not software vendors will be prepared for the switch. And they are looking forward to the enhanced capabilities that ICD-10 will offer--with more codes, coders can achieve a higher level of granularity, not to mention that the conversion will help catch our nation up to the other parts of the world that have already been through the implementation.
AHIMA is preparing for the change, according to Jill Dennis, JD, RHIA, AHIMA senior vice president, advocacy and practice leadership. "We'll be rolling out resources designed for various industry segments, to help break the change process down into manageable parts," Dennis said.
Dennis added that AHIMA is also evaluating how coding certification will have to change to accommodate the ICD-10 change. Overall, AHIMA plans to help the HIM field transition to the new code set. "AHIMA is fully committed to providing a wide variety of resources to assist health care organizations and the entire industry in minimizing disruption and maximizing the value of this long, long overdue change," Dennis said.
How do you feel about the switch to ICD-10? Are you anxious, excited or both? What are you most looking forward to?