Jim,
Because of the way we work, my staff does not need to know very much about ICD coding. I will instruct them in the basics, but don't plan any formal course. I have already told them that if we need to enter new codes that we will choose them together. As above, all of our existing codes have been crosswalked.
We use the superbill with the ICD codes, so I pick the codes for visits. In Lytec, each diagnosis code is set up with an alphabetic abbreviation: HY hypertension, DM diabetes, etc. These are generally the NOS or uncomplicated designations. Of course, especially with ICD 10, there will be many more choices. My staff have the common ones memorized. In Lytec, these link to the appropriate ICD 9 (and now ICD 10) codes. The idea was to make it as easy as possible for the staff. So, when we started with Lytec 25 years ago, we elected alphabetic shorthand rather than the ICD codes when setting up our diagnosis list. So, it dosen't matter what ICD version, all they have to remember is the mnemonic. I know that many others use the actual ICD code as the Lytec code.
So, this transition is relatively easy for us because:
We chose to set up Lytec with alphabetic abbreviations long ago
AC failed at integrating PM so that I am continuing with Lytec
