ICD-10 Changes and How They Affect Your ENT Medical Practice
Sophisticated, complicated, frustrating and a long-time coming. Anyone who handles otolaryngology management billing and coding for an ENT medical practice knows exactly what is being referred to and that is the pending ICD-10 changes. Medical billing services have undergone some pretty major changes in recent years and the switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 is just one more bump in the road. While the “powers that be” promise that the changes will ultimately revolutionize the way that coding is done, make things easier and help billing and coding be more comprehensive and detailed.
Like everything else that happens in the medical billing world, once ENT medical practice coders get used to the variations on the old ICD-9 regulations that they are used to, things will get easier. When you look at the big picture of the “old way” of doing things versus the reasons behind the “new way” that is being implemented, it becomes crystal clear why this transition is being made. However, for those who work in medical billing services that have to re-learn a whole new way of handling otolaryngology management billing and coding, it is still a pretty frustrating experience. Unfortunately, the October 1, 2015 deadline is still rapidly approaching.
How’s the Transition Coming?
While it is still too early to tell how things will all come out on that fateful day, studies and surveys reveal that most people who work in coding for an ENT medical practice are nowhere near where they should be with regard to learning and embracing the ICD-10 changes. While most have a basic knowledge of what to expect, most have not had a chance to practice that knowledge and see how it really works first hand. Even those who have gone for training on the changes being made to medical billing services still need some hands-on experience before they will really be ready for the deadline.
If your otolaryngology management billing and coding department is not quite ready for the ICD-10 changes and you fear that they won’t be by October 1, 2015, it is important to figure out why they are not properly prepared. Have they been trained? Have they completed their training? Do they lack confidence in their abilities? Have they been provided with the proper computer hardware and software to get the job done? What can you do today to change the situation within your own ENT medical billing practice and get your staff the training and support they need to feel confident and prepare to move forward with the ICD-10 changes?
Consider Hiring a Pro
Did you know that there are specialized support services, training programs and even managed medical billing services that can help you and your office get on board with the ICD-10 changes? MD Pro Solutions provides a wide range of services designed specifically for otolaryngology management billing and coding. Our entire team is completely trained and extremely experienced in the medical billing services and nuances of an ENT medical practice. Our team can help your staff to gain insight and understanding into what is expected with the ICD-9 to ICD-10 transition, as well as how to implement other best practices into your company’s medical billing services.
We offer a wide variety of consultation, medical billing services, training, education and support to medical practices, offices and clinics that focus on the specialized area of otolaryngology. While there are other specialties that will have more changes and alterations to be made, your ENT medical practice will have its own fair share of work to do. Some coders have stated that the new ICD-10 changes practically require them to have a medical or biology degree of their own, as much about the physiology of the patients, diagnoses and disease will have to be known or understood in order to provide proper coding.
You can choose to skip all of that and hire a professional to assist in your medical billing services as you make the transition. One study revealed that approximately 65 percent of all medical practices and clinics have hired outside help to make the ICD-9 to ICD-10 transition easier. Rather than spending so much time, energy and money on training and education, they would rather invest money into hiring a professional consultant and service to provide otolaryngology management billing and coding to prevent any disruption in cash flow.
To find out more about our medical billing services, education and support, please contact MD Pro Solutions at 508-946-1665. Our team can answer any of your questions about the services that we provide and can set you up for a FREE estimate or consultation for any of our wide range of professional services.