Strange But True ICD-10 Codes
ICD-10 expanded the list of possible codes for medical professionals to over 70,000 items. Provider Web Capital’s Top Ten list is below. Some of these are too strange to be true:
Y92241: Hurt at the library
Z63.1: Problems in relationship with in-laws
W220.2XD: Walked into lamppost, subsequent encounter
W51.XXXA: Accidental striking against or bumped into by another person, sequela
S10.87XA: Other superficial bite of other specified part of neck, initial encounter
Z62891: Sibling rivalry
Z621: Parental overprotection
R46.0: Very low level of personal hygiene
E013.3: Ironing
W55.41XA: Bitten by pig
The transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 was supposed to improve the operational process by giving medical practices a system that would allow them to be as detailed as possible in their coding. The more detailed they are in providing information pertaining to the Five W’s, in addition to analytics such as cost, usage, and final outcome, the less complicated it should be to process payments and get reimbursed.
Unfortunately, most medical practices have only been left to feel highly inconvenienced by the newly implemented system. Many doctors have suggested that entering ICD-10 codes is quite time-consuming and can take over an hour a day to enter bills in correctly. It also puts a lot of pressure on the medical practice to be specific so that their chances of getting paid can increase.
Many of the practice management systems used by medical practices kept them from submitting their ICD-9 codes to insurance carriers within the promised CMS yearlong grace period. This forced those to have to recode everything, which is time-consuming and has led to anxiety, frustration, and dissatisfaction. As if adjusting to the IT systems wasn’t challenging enough, getting qualified industry personnel has proven to be the biggest beast of them all.
It seems as though many industry reps were poorly trained when it came to answering ICD-10-related questions, such as previously denied claims and formatting for resubmissions over the phone. The conversion process as a whole has caused many healthcare businesses to suffer financially, leading to their funds being spread thin.
If the implementation of ICD-10 has put a cash strain on your medical practice, Provider Web Capital can help. We are a specialty finance company that works exclusively with healthcare providers. Provider Web can deliver you working capital solutions to improve your cash position while you wait for reimbursement from government and commercial payers. We have innovative products that allow you to get paid now instead of waiting for your third parties. Visit us online at www.providerwebcapital.com or call 855-860-9700 to speak to a Senior Business Advisor today.