A recent update to medical coding — the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) — makes medical coding a universal language, as it has already been adopted across the globe. Two key improvements over prior processes are specificity and infinite coding. Specificity removes even the smallest chance of error in the diagnosing, coding, billing or reimbursement process for everyone. And infinite space for creating new codes accommodates the reality that many new diseases, treatment protocols and medical techniques are adopted each year.
While its use is not legally required, a spokesman with Carrington College — which prepares students for entry-level careers in medical records and health information in areas such as facility coding, tumor registry and insurance contracts at its locations in Mesa, Tucson and Phoenix — points out ICD-10 affects all healthcare facilities nationwide as well as the hundreds of thousands of students who enter the healthcare field each day because it must be followed by any provider seeking reimbursement from insurance companies.
