General Surgery Coding Alert

Whether large or small, you'll find guidance for your practice.

With less than two years to get ready for the diagnosis coding system transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10, your general surgery practice can use all the help you can find.

Now, CMS aims to offer a helping hand in the process with the issuance of several new educational documents.

Take CMS' Help

On Nov. 9, CMS announced that it had developed four Implementation Handbooks that offer step-by-step instructions for small and medium-sized provider practices, large practices, small hospitals, and payers to seamlessly transition to the new coding system.

In addition to the guidance, CMS offers several templates that can aid your practice during the transition period. For instance, small and medium practices can use the "Vendor Checklist Case Template" when discussing ICD-10 with their vendors to determine whether the billing systems will be ready for the new diagnosis codes.

To access the guidebook for small and medium practices, visit www.cms.gov/ICD10/Downloads/ICD10SmallandMediumPractices508.pdf. For more on CMS's ICD-10 transition documents, visit www.cms.gov/ICD10/.