ICD-10 has had some bad rep in the press. Even though the transition is truly challenging for a lot of healthcare stakeholders, there are a lot of myths flying around. Here are the top 8:
1. The government will grant an extension.
Fact: There are no indication that there will be any delay of ICD-10 beyond Oct 1, 2014
2. Workers Comp, liability and auto insurance will
not convert.
Fact: Even though they are not HIPPA entities, they have interest in converting, otherwise they will not be able to do electronic transactions easily
3. State Medicaid will not convert.
Fact: State Medicaids are mandate to convert to ICD-10
4.
Number of codes too high.
Fact: There are thousands of codes in ICD-9 and thousands of words in the Webster's dictionary. The multitude of codes is actually a good thing to provide a rich source of information. Not the other way around.
5. No Hard copy books.
Fact: Books already exists. So do electronic versions.
6.
Unnecessarily detailed medical record documentation
will be required.
Fact: Detailed medical record documentation will only be needed when it is clinically relevant. No unnecessary documentation will be needed.
7. Each payer will require his own mapping.
Fact: Maps that walk through from ICD-9 to ICD-10 already exists. They're called GEMs. They're free as well.
8. There are a lot of new weird codes in ICD-10
Fact: Weird and funny codes exist in ICD-9 as well. How about : Exposure to ionizing radiation from a nuclear weapon (E979.5) ?
9. Medically unnecessary diagnostic tests will need to be performed
Fact: No unnecessary diagnostic tests will be needed. Codes are designed in a way that would allow further specificity if available or could be obtained clinically but not mandated for every code.
10. ICD-10 was created by evil overlords who want to take over the world.
Fact: True. There's a secret room underground where they meet and have collaboration with Darth Vader, Dracula and Hannibal Lecter.
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