AHIMA Lauds Early Release of New ICD-10 Codes

AHIMA commends the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for releasing the new ICD-10-PCS and ICD-10 CM codes which will give the health care community additional time to prepare to meet the October 1, 2016 implementation deadline for coding updates.

"The release of the new ICD-10-PCS and ICD-10 CM codes will provide additional time for the industry to prepare, and the new codes will enhance the specificity of patient stories captured in their health records," says AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, CAE, FACHE, FAHIMA. "The health care community proved during a smooth transition to ICD-10 that it is well equipped to meet this opportunity and challenge. As always, AHIMA continues to stand ready to help providers meet the implementation deadline for these important coding updates."

There are 3,651 new ICD-10-PCS codes and 1,943 new ICD-10-CM codes on these CMS and CDC lists.  The vast majority of the new ICD-10-PCS codes deal with the cardiovascular system. Many relate to unique device values, the addition of bifurcation, congenital cardiac procedures, and placement of an intravascular neurostimulator.

"These codes will provide so much more granular data. This is information that will be very important for these physicians and their patients," says Angie Comfort, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, AHIMA's director of HIM practice excellence. "Over time, this more granular data should provide insight for doctors that can help patient outcomes."

For the latest developments on ICD-10 and how AHIMA can help the industry prepare for new codes, visit www.ahima.org/icd10.

Source: AHIMA