The PILOT MS-DRG Grouper is available now in the following MediRegs products: Compliance & Regulation Suite, Audit & Revenue Resource Center and Coding & Revenue Resource Center.  On the left-hand navigation pane, under Lookup and Payment Tools, notice 2 different links; the pilot version is marked "ICD-10", and it should be understood that this logic is for testing and predicting.  Use the original grouper for current year ICD-9 grouping logic.

Here is a great way to get started with ICD-10. To demonstrate how to use the ICD-10 Codebooks, MS-DRG Grouper, and ICD-10 Explorer search and mapping tool, we are holding periodic ICD-10 Examples 30 minute webinars.

Click Here to view a replay of the Webinar! Successful coding in ICD-10-PCS is dependent upon solid anatomy knowledge. This program will cover the basics of the ICD-10-PCS coding system and describe how anatomy knowledge can improve your speed, accuracy and understanding in the new system. We’ll discuss how to develop a personalized learning plan for ICD-10-PCS and cover some of the most helpful resources available for coders. We’ll also demonstrate the MediRegs Coding Suite tools for ICD-10-PCS.

It has been widely predicted that there will be a significant drop in coder productivity when ICD-10 coding begins.  In a recent Vantage Point survey, (See the results presented by HIMSS here), nearly half the respondence noted that their greatest concern  related to ICD-10 is a revenue loss due to a bottle neck of coding issues.  Here is how we can help!

Compliance & Regulation Suite and Coding Suite users now have access to the ICD-10 Explorer tool.  Go the the Codebooks library and scroll down.

You have probably heard a lot about the enormous differences in the clinical terminology, increased specificity, and complexity of the I-10 generally equivalent maps. The ICD-10 Explorer tool is an excellent way to explore these instantly. Try the following examples to begin your understanding of the capabilities of this tool.

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Have you heard people say that all coders need to take an anatomy and physiology course to be able to code in ICD-10-CM or PCS? Think twice before signing up for a full college course or even buying the thickest anatomy book you can find. Try using the personal improvement approach instead.

Questions, questions, some answers, but more questions as I reflect on the 2010 ICD-10 AHIMA Summit that I attended earlier this week. One of the big questions is are YOU ready for this big change in healthcare and have you started to PREPARE? ICD-10 will affect all aspects in healthcare (payers, providers, vendors, clearinghouses, third party administrators, independent laboratories, employers, and researchers) to name a few. 

The final rule to implement the ICD-10 code set, which was released on January 16, 2009 and them promptly put on hold by the Obama Administration on January 21, 2009 for further review, has been officially released. It has been determined that the effective date will not be extended and the comment period will not be re-opened.

On Wednesday, January 21st, the Obama Administration put the ICD-10 final rule, along with others that are pending, on hold while further review is conducted. Don’t start cheering yet!