ICD-10 Project Planning for Solo Practices

Starting next week I'll be blogging on how single doc practices can roll out their ICD-10 project.  I'm focusing on solo practices because much of the published literature on ICD-10 implementations is focused on larger practices, therefore much of it is irrelevant to a solo practice.  After all, a solo practice probably doesn't need a Strategic Steering Committee or Education Committee. 

To get us started,  it's helpful to know why we are making the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10.   There is lots of information out there on this topic, but for us it boils down to this simple nugget.  HHS has determined we must replace ICD-9 with ICD-10 because ICD-10 has lots more code space and allows for more specific coding.  The more specific coding allows HHS and other entities to better slice and dice morbidity and mortality data for their various needs.

So for us, this means the ICD-10 will require increased specificity in our medical documentation so that when we code claims, the coder can select the correct ICD-10 code based on that documentation.  And correctly coding means we get paid.

Sounds simple enough.  Next week we start to look at how get from here, to there.