What to Know About the Newly Required ICD-11 Codes
In case you haven’t heard, the new year is ushered in new healthcare code changes. From January 2022 onward, we are expected to begin having an awareness ICD-11 codes in our therapy practices. The World Health Organization (WHO) updates these ICD (International Classification of Diseases) codes periodically to support clinical use and recognize healthcare advancement.
This call to start using ICD-11 represents a mandatory expectation and is the most notable shift in disease classification since ICD-9 code retirement seven years ago.
Not exactly sure what this means for you practically?
No problem, this guide will you get you ready to meet the expectation with confidence. Take a look below at the following changes and updates.
The truth is your only real billing obstacle is not knowing what you don’t know. And that can be easily remedied with some help from me and some key information that might just free you up to make the kind of money you deserve.
Read on to discover the billing options available to you. You can count on support to make insurance billing the private practice boost you didn’t know you needed.
What is ICD-11 exactly?
To be clear, this push to use one set of diagnoses internationally is significant and a major ask for care providers. However, it is a challenge you can meet with the right information.
The benefits of the update? ICD-11 makes some significant gains:
- ICD-11 is comprehensive. It lists more than 55,000 unique diagnosis codes.
- The update is revolutionary as it recognizes previously ignored, but common, diagnoses.
- special attention is provided for mental health providers.
Still, the reality of this update is that ICD-11 adds 40,000 new codes to the former 14,000 listed in the ICD-10. This is undeniably daunting as you consider the learning curve and what you’ll be expected to implement and execute appropriately. Organizing your practice and doing your best to prevent stressful missteps regarding claim processing will likely require patience and proper guidance.
What are the Key Modifications Affecting Mental Health Providers?
Sexual health gets its own chapter.
The new codes try to reflect modern shifts in understanding and diagnosis in this area. Finding that a new chapter related to mental health and sexuality in the ICD-11 was in order, Conditions Related to Sexual Health, includes diagnoses that address changes to the male and female sexual anatomy, sexual dysfunctions, and pain disorders, as well as STIs and contraceptive management.
Sleep-wake disorders are addressed specifically too.
Sleep-wake disorders, particularly those distinguished by difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, excessive sleepiness, sleep-related breathing disorders, “problematic behavioral or physiological events that occur while falling asleep, during sleep, or upon arousal from sleep (parasomnia disorders),” and more are given new consideration.
The mental, behavioral and neurodevelopmental chapter also sees new additions worth noting.
There are many new conditions added to the chapter on these disorders. Some noteworthy ones include those that deal with impulse control like compulsive sexual behavior disorder; disorders of bodily distress or bodily experience such as body dysmorphic disorder or body integrity dysphoria; and even relatively newer online problems like gaming disorder.
ICD-11 makes an effort to deal with diagnosis disconnect.
ICD-11 shifted to an alphanumeric coding structure that gets away from the very restrictive groups of mental health classifications of the past. Now, you’ll find that diagnostic groupings align more appropriately with the science and your needs.
Also, it’s important to note that the ICD-11 tries to create a more productive connection between its larger catalog of medical diagnoses and the specific listing of mental health disorders in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
What’s Your Next Move?
First, accept that the implementation of ICD-11 will eventually be a required change. Second, don’t do go it alone until you feel well equipped to use ICD-11 correctly. Fortunately, you have tools and support available.
Independently, ICD-11 is digitally compatible and affords you an implementation package that contains transition tables, a coding tool, a reference guide, and a browser tool.
For more personal guidance, we are here to help you get acclimated as quickly and thoroughly as possible. You can do this, no billing challenge will hold you back. Let’s tackle this together. Please contact us soon to make a plan.