Why use icd 9 cm

An additional problem that could be encountered is a shortage of credentialed, professional coders. Currently, there is a shortage of coders skilled in both ICDCM and CPT coding, and some coders may opt to retire before learning an entirely new system thus exacerbating the problem.

Labor statistics predict a shortage of trained coders in the next several years. Physicians: Physician documentation has been an obstacle to complete and accurate coding for quite some time. With the increased specificity in ICDCM, this issue will continue to be an essential element to collection of good statistical data as well as the key to appropriate reimbursement. Other healthcare professionals: Again, because of the many uses of coded data, there are multiple categories of users of coded data.

These users will require varying levels of training depending on their involvement with coded data. Some of these users include:.

The increased specificity of the ICDCM codes makes complete and accurate documentation increasingly important with the implementation of the new system. Health information management supervisors and coders will have to assist the physicians in becoming more aware of what documentation is needed. Likewise, radiologists and pathologists will need to be reminded about the types of information that will need to be available for coders to correctly assign codes.

As evidenced by the experiences in Australia and Canada, successful transition to the ICDCM classification system will require long range planning by healthcare facilities. It is not simply HIM professionals who are affected, but healthcare professionals across many disciplines.

In addition, third-party payers including the federal government will need to be trained in the use of the new classification system. Coding professionals have the training and experience to limit the learning curve involved in transitioning to the new system, and HIM professionals are certainly ready to take the lead in retraining and education for new and experienced users of health data.

Let us begin planning for ICDCM and enjoy the benefits of this greatly improved classification system. Federal Register 63, no. Available at www. Federal Register 65, no. May 29, Testimony by Dr.

The current ICDCM diagnosis codes do not provide sufficient clinical specificity to describe the severity or complexity of the various disease conditions. In particular, the codes for healthcare encounters for other than disease V codes do not provide enough specificity. Consequently, there are increasing requirements for submission of additional documentation in order to support claims.

The exchange of meaningful healthcare data with healthcare organizations and professionals around the world is hindered by the fact that many countries are presently using ICD or a clinical modification of it Australia and Canada, for example, have modifications.

Even in the US, mortality statistics information on death certificates have been collected using ICD since The current ICDCM system is ineffective for effectively monitoring utilization of resources, measuring performance, and analyzing healthcare costs and outcomes.

There are many uses of coded data, including: Designing payment reimbursement systems with emphasis on the processing of claims specifically for reimbursement, Measuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of medical care, Designing delivery systems and setting healthcare policy, Monitoring the utilization of resources while improving financial, clinical, and administrative performance, Providing healthcare consumers with data regarding the cost and outcome s of various treatment options, Identifying, tracking, and managing public health risks and disease processes, Recognizing and identifying abusive or fraudulent reimbursement practices and trends, and Conducting healthcare research and clinical trials and participating in epidemiological studies.

ICDCM offers the addition of information relative to ambulatory and managed care encounters. In ICDCM, some three-character categories are not used in order to allow for revisions and future expansion. The ICD-9 was used to code and classify mortality data from death certificates until , when use of ICD for mortality coding started.

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