7 Pros and Cons of ICD-10

ICD 10 refers to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision. The system is also known as ICD 10-CM, which refers to the International-Classification-of-Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification. This system is utilized by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers as a means of classifying and coding diagnoses/symptoms, and other procedures that are utilized and recorded within the approach to hospital care within the U.S.

The system went into effect on October 1st, 2015. This came after a number of delays. As you can imagine, there are numerous ICD10 pros and cons that are worth keeping in mind.

Pros Of ICD-10

There are several notable benefits to embracing the ICD-10 system. These pros make it clear as to why so many medical professionals were in favor of adopting ICD-10 as quickly as possible:

It makes communication easy
The fact of the matter is that the rest of the planet has been using the ICD 10 system for quite some time now. While the ICD-9 continues to have a number of benefits, it makes communication between the U.S. and other countries all but impossible. The ICD 10 keeps the United States up to date with the rest of the world.

Better data
The detail inherent in the ICD 10 codes allows providers to not only collect the best possible data, but it also gives them the ability to better serve patients.

Accuracy
One of the biggest benefits to ICD 10 is how it will emphasize accuracy and fraud detection. Determining coverage on both the local and national level is going to be considerably easier, as well.

Cons Of ICD-10

While there are some major benefits to ICD 10, it is also important to note some of the downsides:

Reimbursement
Filing claims and getting paid is a crucial element to ICD-10. However, no other country utilizes these ICD 10 codes, when it comes to paying physicians.

Code increase
Tens of thousands of codes are added through the ICD-10. As you can imagine, there are tons of variations within these codes. For providers from all backgrounds, these variations can strike one someone as extremely confusing. Worse yet, some of the variations seem to lack anything along the lines of a purpose.

Denials
The cost-saving measures with ICD 10 has a foundation in paying less to a provider. This can lead to physicians spending more time on coding, and less time on actually getting paid.

Options
With cuts being made, practices and range of options for patients can both suffer.