AOA Bulletin: Physicians Need to Prepare Now for ICD-10 Coding System

Many physicians feel that ICD-10 is something just for the coders to be prepared for, but the reality is that ICD-10 preparation is for everyone, according to a recent American Academy of Otolaryngology (AOA) Bulletin. “ICD-10 is not just about coding,” cautioned Rhonda Buckholtz, CPC, CPMA, CPC-I vice president of ICD-10 training and education for AAPC. “It changes everything about your practice. If you don’t make the transition to ICD-10 on time, you won’t get paid. It’s that simple.”

Because of the increased specificity with ICD-10 there will be a transition period. Buckholtz expects about a six month period following the implementation.