ICD-10-CM is a clinical modification of the World Health Organization’s ICD-10, which consists of a diagnostics classification system. ICD-10-CM includes the level of detail needed for morbidity classification and diagnostics specificity in the United States.

It also provides code titles and language that complement accepted clinical practice in the US. The system consists of more than 68,000 diagnosis codes. This course provides the training necessary for medical administrative professionals to comply with the updated standards. The transition to ICD-10 is necessary for many reasons. Payors cannot pay claims fairly using ICD-9-CM since the classification system does not accurately reflect current technology and medical treatment. Significantly different procedures are assigned to a single ICD-9-CM procedure code. Limitations in the coding system translate directly into limitations in the diagnosis-related groups (DRG). The healthcare industry cannot accurately measure the quality of care using ICD-9-CM.

It is difficult to evaluate the outcome of new procedures and emerging health care conditions when there are not precise codes. Most importantly, we have a mission to improve our ability to measure health care services provided to our patients, enhance clinical decision-making, track public health issues, conduct medical research, identify fraud and abuse and design our payment systems to ensure services are appropriately paid.