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Coding Corner: The Future of Coding - ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) and The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Classification System(ICD-10-PCS).

Currently 138 countries have implemented ICD-10-CM for mortality reporting and 99 countries have implemented it for morbidity reporting, with the United States still using the ICD-9-CM system it is difficult to compare our health data with international data. Although, the United States implementation of either one of these systems has not been announced, draft legislation contains a provision to implement ICD-10. Implementation will be based on the process for adoption of standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). There will be a two-year implementation window once the final notice to implement has been published in the Federal Register.

If passed, HR 4157, The Health Information Technology Promotion Act, would require the Secretary to implement ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS on October, 1, 2009.

Benefits

Major changes in the ICD-10-CM include:

The ICD-10-CM is published by the World Health Organization (WHO) you may find the guidelines for the use of this classification in the Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines of ICD-10-CM (www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd9.htm).

Major changes in the ICD-10-PCS include:

For detailed information on the development of ICD-10-PCS visit the CMS Web site: www.cms.hhs.gov.

As our world grows smaller the need for accurate health data will benefit us all.