Hi Kathryn,
I don't know the answers, but I am confident it will be ready. Basically, because it will a new list of codes. A different and larger list, but computers laugh at that kind of change.
It would be very nice to have a tool to help you drill down quickly to the most specific ICD 10. I imagine that some ehrs will have nicer tools than others. Probably more important if you deal with left/right issues all the time.
From what I know, your practice management and clearinghouse is going to be a bigger issue. Gateway has a worksheet that could help you.
http://www.gatewayedi.com/icd10/meet-icd-10-head-on/Medicare tips.
http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/ProviderResources.htmlIf your clearinghouse isn't ready, consider looking for another one. They should have been ready by last month, since the original goal was 2013.
If your clearinghouse is ready, then consider sending in one claim with an ICD 10 code, even if a paper claim, and learning by trial and error. I think that will give you some confidence as well as experience.
Consider tracking your diagnoses such that you have a list of decreasing frequency used over 3-6 months so you can map a conversion for the top 95% of your diagnoses.
I have written 714.0 for rheumatoid arthritis for so many years. I hope I'm young enough to learn how to write M06.9 instead. It will get a lot trickier if the insurer wants a more specific code than nonspecific rheumatoid arthritis, but I think it will be a gradual process of tightening the noose, and they will take a nonspecific diagnosis next October.
My perspective may be different, because I do my own coding and we don't link AC to PM. I'm planning on using the best 3rd party tool if AC or my own programming aren't adequate in the exam room.
