ICD-10-CM TRANSITION – ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
As of February 1, 2012, there are 608 days until ICD-10-CM replaces ICD-9-CM code sets.
ICD-10-CM will have the same hierarchical structure as ICD-9-CM where the first three characters are the category of the code and all codes within the same category have similar traits. Although this structure is the same, there are differences in how ICD-10-CM is organized, including:
- ICD-10-CM consists of 21 chapters compared to 17 chapters in ICD-9-CM.
- ICD-10-CM codes are alphanumeric and can be up to seven characters in length; ICD-9-CM codes are only three to five characters in length.
- Addition of a placeholder has been incorporated into ICD-10-CM.
As you begin the process of understanding the changes with ICD-10-CM, don't become overwhelmed. For quick and easy-to-understand tips, PRC Medical/StreamlineMD will come to your aid by focusing on the fine details in future newsletters.