ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Certification

The implementation of ICD-10 is less than a year away. For those of you entering the medical coding industry, you will need to become certified in ICD-10. For individuals who are already certified in ICD-10 you will need to be recertified in ICD-10 or receive a specific number of continuing education hours related to ICD-10. Your course of action will depend on the organization you plan on getting certified through or the organization you are already certified through.

Individuals who plan on getting their first certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders will have to wait until January 1, 2015. This is the date that AAPC will start offering certification exams on ICD-10. Prior to this date, AAPC will continue to offer certification in ICD-9. Medical coders who are already certified through AAPC will be required to take an ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment. This assessment must be completed by September 30, 2015. For more information please visit https://www.aapc.com/resources/what-is-icd-10.

Individuals who plan on getting their first certification through the American Health Information Management Association can get certified in ICD-10 starting on April 1, 2014. Medical coders who are already certified through AHIMA are required to obtain a specific number of continuing education hours related to ICD-10. The number of required hours depends on which certification you have. For example, if you have the CCA certification you are required to obtain 18 hours. You have until December 31, 2014 to obtain these hours.

Those individuals who pass an ICD-10 certification will be prepared to enter the workforce when ICD-10 is implemented. Those individuals who pass the ICD-10 Proficiency Assessment and those who obtain the required ICD-10 continuing education hours will demonstrate to their employer their ICD-10 knowledge and professional commitment.

What are your ICD-10 plans?