ICD10 Codes Go Into Effect in 2011

Many of us have heard about ICD10 codes but don't understand what the effect of use of the ICD10 codes will mean to individual billers. Well the Department of Health and Human Services has announced a proposal to change ICD9 codes to ICD10 codes effective October 1, 2011. What are the differences and how will this affect all of us in the medical billing field?

ICD10 codes are an important part of the effort to develop nationwide electronic health records. The current ICD9 codes which were developed 30 years ago are expected to run out of available codes next year. ICD9 codes are limited to 17000 codes where ICD10 codes will allow for 155000 codes.

The new codes will help identify specific health conditions and help with the implementation of electronic medical records. As with all changes to the medical billing industry, it will be interesting to see what challenges arise as a result. If it is anything like NPI numbers and new CMS 1500 forms, we will all be in for a surprise.