Medical Specialist, Nitin Chhoda, Provides New Information to Prepare Billers and Practices for Transition to ICD-10 Coding
Denville, NJ (PRWEB) August 03, 2013 -- “Each diagnostic procedure currently has a corresponding ICD-9 code,” said Chhoda. “The ICD-10 codes provide billers with coding that is more accurate and reflects the many new diseases, procedures and technological advances in today’s medical profession.”
Chhoda noted that updating to the new codes is mandatory to remain HIPAA compliant, and physical therapy billers and coders who begin familiarizing themselves with the changes now will help alleviate expected software snafus and reimbursement delays. Payers and clearinghouses where claims are submitted are also required to update their coding. Practices submitting claims with old codes will be rejected.
The ICD-10 update includes 141,000 new coding options that provide more specific information about each diagnosis and offers billers greater flexibility when preparing claims. An integrated EMR system implemented prior to the changeover ensures that billing specialists have the tools to code accurately and with a minimum of disruption in the reimbursement process.
Once an EMR physical therapy software system is implemented, billers should communicate with the payers, clearinghouses and billing services they work with to ascertain when each entity will begin testing and regularly utilizing the ICD-10 codes. It’s equally important for billers to conduct their own internal testing with payers and others to determine that all elements of the billing software is working as expected.
Staff training prior to the coding transition is essential, but it’s critical that an EMR be implemented as soon as possible. The use of EMR technology has been mandated through the Affordable Health Care Act. It represents a major change within the clinical setting that requires training and use through practical application to be ready when the new coding goes into effect.
The switch to ICD-10 codes means significant changes in the way medical billing specialists’ code and how reimbursement claims are submitted. The transition also offers new ways for clinicians to increase revenues and be paid commensurate to all the procedures and services they provide. The new information offered by Chhoda allows practices to make the appropriate preparations so they’re ready when the new codes take effect, with little disruption or delay in reimbursements.
Chhoda’s office can be reached by phone at 201-535-4475. For more information, visit the website at http://www.emrnews.com.
About Nitin Chhoda
Nitin Chhoda PT, DPT is a licensed physical therapist, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and an entrepreneur. He is the author of "Physical Therapy Marketing For The New Economy" and “Marketing for Physical Therapy Clinics” and is a prolific speaker, writer and creator of products and systems to streamline medical billing and coding, electronic medical records, health care practice management and marketing to increase referrals. He has been featured in numerous industry magazines, major radio and broadcast media, and is the founder of Referral Ignition training systems and the annual Private Practice Summit. Chhoda speaks extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Asia. He is also the creator of the Therapy Newsletter and Clinical Contact, both web-based services to help private practices improve communication with patients, delivery better quality of care and boost patient retention.
Nitin Chhoda, EMR News, http://www.nitin360.com, 201-535-4475, [email protected]
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