#ob-gyn coding

Stay focused and emphasize on coder-provider coordination to ease into the new system.

ICD-10 implementation has come and gone but your ob-gyn practice still needs to continue to train and improve ICD-10 coding accuracy and comfort. As ICD-10 is new, ob-gyn coders and providers will learn the nitty-gritty of ICD-10 while concurrently using the new system.

Here are some tips from ICD-10 trainers your ob-gyn practice can use to ensure it’s ready to continue its ICD-10 growth.

Providers Should Pay Attention to Coders’ Documentation Advice Communication between coders and providers – including ob-gyns, clinical nurses, physician assistants (PAs) is highly essential for ICD-10 compliance. Normally, coders and clinicians will understand all the aspects that go into a claim. However, obtaining this knowledge will not happen immediately. It’s essential to have an information pipeline between coders and providers to get the ICD-10 codes right. 

Coders are the ones with comprehensive ICD-10 know how since they are at the forefront of the coding game. For instance: When your physician diagnoses a urinary tract infection, you cannot just write ‘UTI’. There has to be a higher level of specificity. And coders are well-placed to know what payers will expect on the claim.

Stay Focused on Your ICD-10 Learning & Keep Practicing Coders should keep learning ICD-10 and stay in touch with fellow coders. If you are not sure of something, you need to ask other people who have sound knowledge of ICD-10. You should refer any resource you can find to improve your ICD-10 know how. For instance, your ob-gyn practice could consider using a specialty-specific handbook such as TCI’s Ob-Gyn ICD-10 Handbook (you could get it now for a special Christmas discount) that includes advice on mastering your thorniest ICD-10 ob-gyn coding and documentation challenges.

You could also consider these to stay updated on ICD-10: • Get onboard online ICD-10 forums • Invest in good ICD-10 codebooks and charts • Organize ICD-10 training seminars in your office • Conduct ICD-10 quizzes and games in  your practice • Attend off-site ICD-10 conferences and seminars • Talk with other ob-gyn practices about their ICD-10 experiences • Get ICD-10 advice from Medicare and private payers