Here Comes ICD-10: Is Anatomy and Physiology Changing?
A Blog Post By Sarah A. Serling, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-I, CCS-P, CCS, Certified ICD-10 Trainer
Many of us have heard that coders will need to brush up on anatomy and physiology before the implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS, but why? It’s not like the anatomy and physiology of the human body are changing with the switch to ICD-10.
Anatomy is the study of the structures, forms, and organization of body parts while Physiology examines the functions of these body parts. The majority of coders and other HIM professionals already have a good understanding of anatomy and physiology, however the application of that knowledge is different in ICD-10-CM/PCS, and anatomy and physiology are a fundamental component. With ICD-10-CM/PCS coders, auditors, CDI and other HIM professionals really need to understand the disease process or how a procedure is being performed in order to determine the appropriate code.
Currently, to code an arterial bypass procedure in ICD-9-CM, we only need to know which artery was bypassed, but ICD-10-CM/PCS codes require a greater level of detail for code assignment, so we will not only need to know which artery was involved, but where it is located, what approach was used, what type of repair was performed, and whether any device was used.
Body parts and organ systems, root operations, surgical approaches, and devices may present serious problems for coders who don’t have a thorough understanding of anatomy and procedural terminology and how procedures are performed. For example, coders will be required to differentiate between excision or resection, occlusions or restrictions, and release or division.
Coders and HIM professionals work in a variety of settings, so familiarity with anatomy and physiology, disease processes, and surgical procedures can differ widely. Most coding students take a basic anatomy and physiology course, but more advanced anatomy and physiology now will be needed. Even if we learned advanced anatomy and physiology, how long ago was that? Developing a solid foundation of anatomy and physiology ahead of time will help prepare us for—and ease—the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS.
Contributed by Sarah A. Serling, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-I, CEMC, ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer
Sarah Serling is the Manager of Coding Education Development for Precyse and an experience, nationally certified educator of hospital and professional medical coding curriculum. Sarah has authored several coding resources and co-authored a leading textbook for teaching coding and reimbursement. She has extensive experience in physician and hospital coding, billing, and compliance and her areas of expertise include ICD-10-CM/PCS, ICD-9-CM, and CPT/HCPCS coding.