The implementation of ICD-10 is almost upon us and urology practices need to be thoroughly educated concerning all aspects of this new coding system. Not only will a detailed ICD-10 training session ensure that your staff is comfortable with the overhauled system, but your urology practice will continue to run smoothly. This means no interruption to patient appointments, charting, billing and accounts receivable.
Additionally, being certain that all staff members receive the same ICD-10 training means that these employees are better equipped to cross-cover for each other in the case of a staffing shortage. For example, front desk staff can help with referral processing and nursing staff can aid with laboratory services. While some offices may be forced to downsize due to the current dismal economic forecast, this sort of cross-coverage opportunity is helpful to any medical practice.
There will be several key changes that specifically apply to the practice of urology as it pertains to ICD-10. There will be new codes, new coding formats, laterality (left versus right), and updated medical language as well as several other changes. For some urology practices that may have been accustomed to recognizing that 599.7 is hematuria, under ICD-10 this code is R31.9. A completely different code, a very new format and a new way of looking at codes means that specialized training for your staff is a real necessity.
Your urology staff must dismiss most of what they know about coding via ICD-9 and develop a brand new understanding of coding under ICD-10. The best way to make sure that this training is full and complete is with education provided by competent and trained professionals.
Perhaps your urology practice feels that now is a good time to move to a third party billing service to handle all aspect of your billing functions. If so, visit our parent site on Urology billing.
