Diagnosis Coding: Focus Your ICD-9 to ICD-10 Transition With 3 Tips

Why This Topic Matters

Understanding these transition concepts helps practices prepare documentation and workflow changes for ICD-10-CM and reduces confusion when moving from ICD-9-CM. The article is relevant to coders and clinicians who need a high-level refresher on diagnosis coding references and common ICD-10 conventions.

Article Sections

1. Tip 1: Find Your Codes in ICD-10-CM

   Introduces the process of locating diagnosis codes in the ICD-10-CM reference structure and discusses general transition planning. It also addresses use of crosswalk tools for analysis and training, along with the need for documentation review.

2. Tip 2: Understand Code Set Differences

   Summarizes structural differences between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10 diagnosis coding, including code length, added specificity, character meaning, and formatting conventions. It also reviews common notation and language found in the code set resources.

3. Follow ICD-10 Guidelines

   Reviews broad ICD-10-CM guideline themes related to specificity, uncertainty, completion of codes, notes and references in the tabular list, and sequencing concepts for related diagnoses. It also covers common phrase meanings used in the alphabetic index and tabular list.