AAPC shares perspective on coder training
Since the Department of Health and Human Services’ January announcement on the final rule for the implementation of ICD-10, many questions have popped up. Some in the industry feel that if they do not contract a trainer or a consultant to provide training right now, they will fall behind and not meet the October 2013 compliance date.
However, the American Academy of Professional Coders’ (AAPC) emphasizes that now is not the time to begin training. Will you really remember everything you’re learning in 2009 four years later in 2013? Chances are that you will not, and to make the implementation as seamless and efficient as possible, the AAPC recommends holding off on training for the time being.
Our plan is unique in that our trainers will undergo an intensive “Train the Trainer” program, which we are not opening to the general healthcare population to ensure consistency with correct information conveyed to the healthcare community.
I must reiterate that now is not the time to begin learning the ICD-10 code set. The best time to begin is late in 2012 or early 2013. The AAPC has streamlined its training curriculum into different phases, starting this summer, when the association will give a three-part, free introduction to ICD-10 implementation Webinar. For more information, visit the AAPC’s ICD-10 Web page.
About the Author: Deborah Grider, CPC, CPC-I, CPC-H, CPC-P, CEMC, COBGC, CDERC, is the vice president of strategic development for the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). She is the author of many coding books for the American Medical Association, and has recently completed the “ICD-10-CM Implementation Guide, Make the Transition Manageable,” written for physician practices to be released in September 2009. She is also a co-chair for the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange ICD-10 Provider Workgroup. Prior to joining the AAPC, Grider was a healthcare consultant specializing in auditing, compliance, and education for physicians and hospitals, a former member of the AMA CPT® Editorial Panel, and the former AAPC National Advisory Board President. She has been in the field of healthcare for more than 25 years.
Ellen Arnold, RHIA | Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
I agree that beginning training now may be too early for coders but there are those of us who need this training earlier in order to handle our part of the transition. Before ICD-10 can be used anywhere the software vendors have to have everything in place. So we are in an earlier transition phase. I work for a HIS vendor and I am working on our ICD-10 implementation. I think for my customers’ sake, before I attempt to test I need to know this code set well so that I can design realistic coding scenarios for testing. I have had a very difficult time finding any training in my area (south Florida) other than an online certificate program offered by Palm Beach Community College. I am looking for a classroom situation. I hope these classes will be gearing up very soon. The AHIMA ones are already sold out.
Thanks for any information or advise.
Shannah Heathcoe | Jun 16, 2009 | Reply
I emailed AHIMA just a few weeks ago to inquire regarding those “Train the Trainer” sessions. I teach coding at our local community college and will need this education asap as well, so that I can adequately teach the new set before it is needed by our graduates. My Director and I submitted for funds to attend one of this year’s sessions, but the money was, of course, long gone, but they have promised us that the money funds will be set aside for next year’s budget. I wanted to make sure that there would be more session next year, especially as there would be a large AHIMA conference in Orlando next summer, hoping they would say they are having it then. They were unable to tell me the exact dates, but my answer from AHIMA was that there would be more “Train the Trainer” session next year and to keep checking with their updates to the upcoming activities. Hope this helps, I am in the same boat you are and need this to happen as well!
Shannah Heathcoe, RHIT, Adjunt:CFCC,Ocala,FL
Ellen Arnold, RHIA | Jun 17, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for your response. You have touched on another point of concern for me which is the expense of these classes. The online class I was looking at was almost $1600. The AHIMA classes were $1900. I do not know that my company will be willing to pay that amount of money along with travel expenses for this type of class. It would be more helpful if CMS could provide some less expensive training. It seems as though there is a lack of education and training out there currently. I hope that changes quickly.