One of the major training decisions that a healthcare organization needs to make is when to start ICD-10 training. How much training will be part of that timing decision.
It's important that you don't underestimate how much training is need to prepare for ICD-10 implementation. Keep two things in mind:
- Medical coders are not the only staff members who will need ICD-10 training.
- Medical coders will need more to learn more than ICD-10 codes.
Giving everyone the knowledge and time needed to learn it will increase your chances of a smooth ICD-10 transition. It's also going to help prevent a major loss of productivity.
In the meantime, here are a couple things to help in the meantime.
- Free Medical Coding Apps for Students and Novices: Holly Cassano offers these apps to help cut down on the reference books you need to lug around. (Coding Notes)
- Is that injury the result of healed trauma?: Guidance regarding musculoskeletal conditions resulting from previous injuries, traumas or are recurrent conditions. (ICD-10 Trainer)
This is a weekly feature that I use to highlight practical tips on how to use and understand ICD-10-CM/PCS codes. Please let me know of any other sources that I can include.
Carl Natale blogs regularly at ICD10Watch.com.