ICD-10: It’s Time for Radiologists to Prepare

The transition to ICD-10 is looming, and many radiology professionals are still trying to determine its impact on radiology.

Radiologists will need to focus on their dictation and also rely heavily on the quality of clinical data from the referring physician, said Melody Mulaik, MSHS, president and co-founder, Coding Strategies, Inc.

ICD-10, set for implementation on October 1, 2015, includes a comprehensive list of granular new codes. How practices meet the challenge of preparing for the new structure will directly correlate with the success of the implementation.

“If we can identify the key issues that need to be improved today, then it will make it a lot easier when [ICD-10] actually gets implemented,” Mulaik said.

Mulaik advised that radiology professionals evaluate their current practices in an effort to plan what your individual institution’s implementation will look like. Taking it bit-by-bit, early on, Mulaik advises, will make it easier when the deadline approaches.