Medical Billing Blog

ICD-10 Staff Training Needs

Posted by Scott Shatzman on Thu, Oct, 10, 2013 @ 15:10 PM

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MBR Take-Aways 

  1. It’s especially important that all administrative and clinical staff receive ICD-10 training. Some staff, like physicians and coders, will require more in-depth training of the new code set.
  2. There are many different training options – classroom style, online courses, webinar, self-taught. Finding the correct mix of training options is important to increase overall understanding, while keeping the overall costs manageable.
  3. Don’t forget to calculate biller/coder/physician down time while they are in training.

This time next year, new coding changes from ICD-10 will be in its first couple weeks of implementation. While this substantial revision to the international classification of diseases is certain to create uncertainty among billers, physicians, and payers, it will also create an opportunity to develop new competencies and skills. Preparation is key to maximize your results, and it starts with your medical staff. CMS recommended steps for small to medium practices to follow to make the transition and training process go more smoothly. Developing a plan for the changeover to ICD-10 coding must be done only after a comprehensive assessment of your staff’s needs.

 

According to information from the CMS website, successful implementation includes:

- Understanding which implementation resources are available.
- Assessing the training needs of your staff – physicians, nurses, billers, coders, and clerical staff.
- Developing a schedule for training the parties affected
- Managing productivity, performance and understandings during the training and transitioning process.

 

The CMS site offers several self-assessment questions that can help pinpoint areas of attention:

Question 1: Who will receive the training, and what will it cover?

If you’re a small practice, it’s especially important that all administrative and clinical staff receive training. Some staff, like physicians and coders, will require more in-depth training of the new code set. Nurses and physician assistants should also receive a higher level of training to ensure improved documentation. Clerical staff can receive a simple macro-overview of the new changes.

 

Question 2: What are your staff’s current levels of competency in coding for medical procedures as well as anatomy?

Embedded in the majority of ICD-10 certification programs are often comprehensive anatomy and physiology sections that are geared to improve coding and billing accuracy. Most sections offer various assessment options to measure competency, which is a great tool to monitor performance of your staff. These sections, along with the overall training, will reduce errors that may impede first claim billing.

 

Question 3: What kind of training might work best for your practice and staff?

You might want to offer classroom style training for your staff through an outside organization or your staff may prefer to use online training (like webinars) or other forms, such as self study. Your transition team, working under the guidance of your coordination manager, can assess what will work best.

 

Question 4: What will be the cost of the training?

 Training will be directly influenced on whether you choose to use classroom, online or self-study. How in-depth, how many hours, and how much the overall cost of materials will contribute as well. Don’t forget to calculate biller/coder/physician down time while they are in training.