The implementation of ICD-10 is fast approaching. The deadline for the World Health Organization’s 10th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems is set for October 1, 2015.

ICD-10 allows for more detailed coding including more than 14,400 different codes, along with the tracking of new diagnoses. ICD-10 also allows for the expansion to more than 68,000 codes through the use of optional sub-classifications.

It’s crucial that your ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is  preparing for the implementation of ICD-10, and testing the coding system. Instead of a one-time test, it should be an ongoing process to determine any issues in the claims system with coding and/or documentation.

With now less than 10 days until ICD-10 goes into effect, it’s important to start that testing now if you haven’t done so already to give your center time to identify and correct any problem areas to ensure a smoother overall implementation.

What’s more, a HIMSS study found that coder productivity may be reduced by 20 to 50 percent during the implementation of ICD-10. To keep this percentage as low as possible, testing the new coding system will make your business office staff more proficient in ICD-10 as well as increase their comfort level with the new codes.