Question

Create a post that discusses the pros and cons of using a classification system to organize information. What are the benefits? What are the drawbacks? What are the differences between the ICD-9-CM system and the ICD-10-CM system? What do you think the implications of changing from the ICD-9-CM system to the ICD-10-CM system?

Answer 1

Pros and cons of using a classification system to organise information:

Pros:

This ICD classification is integral part of the most information systems in our country. Basically, there are two ways of keeping medical records. The old fashioned way to keep all data about the patient is use of paper medical records that are placed in family medicine office.Another more modern way of keeping patient record is computer database.

• It makes communication easy
• Better data
• Accuracy

Cons:

• This classification is not suitable in cases where few or no information about patient is available.
• Reimbursement:Filing claims and getting paid is a crucial element to ICD-10. However, no other country utilizes these ICD 10 codes, when it comes to paying physicians.
• There are tons of variations within these codes. For providers from all backgrounds, these variations can strike one someone as extremely confusing. Worse yet, some of the variations seem to lack anything along the lines of a purpose.

Difference between the ICD-9 CM system and ICD-10 CM system:

• ICD-9 is the lack of specificity of the information conveyed in the codes. For example, if a patient is seen for treatment of a burn on the right arm, the ICD-9 diagnosis code does not distinguish that the burn is on the right arm.
• In the ICD-10 diagnosis code set, characters in the code identify right versus left, initial encounter versus subsequent encounter, and other clinical information.
• ICD-9 is that some chapters are full and impede the ability to add new codes. In some cases, new codes have been assigned to different chapters making it difficult to locate all available codes.
• ICD-10 codes have increased character length, which greatly expands the number of codes that are available for use. With more available codes, it is less likely that chapters will run out of codes in the future
• The current ICD-9-CM system is ineffective for effectively monitoring utilization of resources, measuring performance, and analyzing healthcare costs and outcomes.But the ICD-10 is more reliable and effective for use.

For changing the system from the ICD-9 to ICD-10 will require the following;

• The implementation of ICD-10 will require significant changes to clinical and administrative systems that capture and report diagnosis codes.
• In addition to the changes for ICD-10, practices will need system changes for updating the HIPAA transactions from version 4010 to 5010.
• Implementation of the version 5010 transactions and ICD-10 will overlap.
• Understanding the changes required for both conversions and the impact on your practice will prepare you for the transition to ICD-10.