Ten Going on Eleven: Part I

EDITOR’S NOTE: Ten Going on Eleven is a month-long series on ICD10monitor and Talk Ten Tuesdays that examines the importance of data mining, as it pertains to the looming transition to ICD-11. World Health Organization (WHO) Classifications and Terminologies Team Leader Dr. Robert Jakob appeared as a special guest on a recent edition of Talk Ten Tuesdays focused on this topic, and this article is a summary of his remarks.

As the team leader of the Classifications and Terminologies group with the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Robert Jakob is uniquely positioned to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the looming global transition to the ICD-11 coding system.

And the early reports aren’t just encouraging – they’re tantalizing.

“We are now receiving input from countries that, as you (may have) heard, are starting implementation these days. So far, the organization (WHO) has provided systematic information about ICD-11 to some 90 countries, (with) training provided to core staff,” Jakob said. “And (there) was a comment that for one hour of training, sometimes even half an hour of instruction, on how to use this smart coding engine that ICD-11 has, and people were able to get 88 percent, 90 percent correct coding out of the samples. So this is a real step forward.”

The U.S. was among the last developed nations in the world to implement ICD-10, just four years ago, after some countries had already been using it for decades. It might want to elbow its way up toward the front of the line this time around.

“Also, this (ICD-11) coding engine, the smart thing there is the code combinations. You have heard, in the early parts of this conversation, that there are a lot of things that can be added to codes that sound scary – that if you use the coding engine, it can do some natural language processing, and it just gives you the code sequence so you have the detail that you were targeting, without any additional effort,” Jakob said. “As countries told us, they like it really because coding is so simple, so they (can) make big savings … and reduce the number of errors and loss of detail, because … ICD-11 has all these kinds of clinical details that clinicians like.”

Jakob noted that when the WHO began developing ICD-11, it took a look at the clinical modifications to ICD-10 that were made in nations such as Canada, Australia, and the United States, in order to inform improvements. What resulted was a coding set that can be nearly seamlessly integrated into existing frameworks worldwide – meaning a clinical modification may not even be necessary.

“Some countries have said they won’t need a clinical modification; others said, well, they may need them for political reasons. We will see how this evolves,” Jakob said. “However … at the core of ICD-10, (it) worked off an index and a lot of rules do to a proper coding job. Well, here (with ICD-11), you don’t need to know much. This whole thing can really be plugged in any kind of electronic coding environment.”

Preparations for ICD-11 are already underway in a litany of countries, including China, Egypt, Germany, Jamaica, India, Japan, Tunisia, Russia, and much of Central and South America, Jakob added.

You can add the U.S. to that list as well, soon enough.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Mark Spivey

Mark Spivey is a national correspondent for RACmonitor.com, ICD10monitor.com, and Auditor Monitor who has been writing and editing material about the federal oversight of American healthcare for more than a decade.

Related Stories

Confusion Reigns over Application of G2211

Confusion Reigns over Application of G2211

Although the effective date for billing Office and Outpatient (O/O) Evaluation and Management (E&M ) Visit Complexity Add-on Code G2211 was Jan. 1, the Centers

Read More

Leave a Reply

Please log in to your account to comment on this article.

Featured Webcasts

Leveraging the CERT: A New Coding and Billing Risk Assessment Plan

Leveraging the CERT: A New Coding and Billing Risk Assessment Plan

Frank Cohen shows you how to leverage the Comprehensive Error Rate Testing Program (CERT) to create your own internal coding and billing risk assessment plan, including granular identification of risk areas and prioritizing audit tasks and functions resulting in decreased claim submission errors, reduced risk of audit-related damages, and a smoother, more efficient reimbursement process from Medicare.

April 9, 2024
2024 Observation Services Billing: How to Get It Right

2024 Observation Services Billing: How to Get It Right

Dr. Ronald Hirsch presents an essential “A to Z” review of Observation, including proper use for Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and commercial payers. He addresses the correct use of Observation in medical patients and surgical patients, and how to deal with the billing of unnecessary Observation services, professional fee billing, and more.

March 21, 2024
Top-10 Compliance Risk Areas for Hospitals & Physicians in 2024: Get Ahead of Federal Audit Targets

Top-10 Compliance Risk Areas for Hospitals & Physicians in 2024: Get Ahead of Federal Audit Targets

Explore the top-10 federal audit targets for 2024 in our webcast, “Top-10 Compliance Risk Areas for Hospitals & Physicians in 2024: Get Ahead of Federal Audit Targets,” featuring Certified Compliance Officer Michael G. Calahan, PA, MBA. Gain insights and best practices to proactively address risks, enhance compliance, and ensure financial well-being for your healthcare facility or practice. Join us for a comprehensive guide to successfully navigating the federal audit landscape.

February 22, 2024
Mastering Healthcare Refunds: Navigating Compliance with Confidence

Mastering Healthcare Refunds: Navigating Compliance with Confidence

Join healthcare attorney David Glaser, as he debunks refund myths, clarifies compliance essentials, and empowers healthcare professionals to safeguard facility finances. Uncover the secrets behind when to refund and why it matters. Don’t miss this crucial insight into strategic refund management.

February 29, 2024
2024 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series

2024 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series

HIM coding expert, Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, reviews the guidance and updates coders and CDIs on important information in each of the AHA’s 2024 ICD-10-CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics in easy-to-access on-demand webcasts, available shortly after each official publication.

April 15, 2024

Trending News

SPRING INTO SAVINGS! Get 21% OFF during our exclusive two-day sale starting 3/21/2024. Use SPRING24 at checkout to claim this offer. Click here to learn more →