If you’re still banking on an ICD-10 delay, you might want to prepare yourself for yet another disappointment. At HIMSS14 last week, CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner stated once again that no such postponement is in the cards, and providers either need to get ready or prepare to stop getting paid. “There are no more delays and the system will go live on October 1,” Tavenner said during her keynote address to attendees of the conference in Orlando, Florida. “Let’s face it guys, we’ve delayed this several times and it’s time to move on.”nnThe deadline has many stakeholders worried about the impact of the hard cut-over from ICD-9 to ICD-10, with some vendors still developing ICD-10 compliant products and many providers and payers deeply concerned about inadequate testing procedures before the new code set goes live. While the Medicare testing week is taking place as we speak, and CMS recently announced a limited end-to-end pilot for some sample providers, the generally lackluster effort to engage the industry in testing has a number of experts on edge.nnAmong the most vocal about the upcoming doomsday is the American Medical Association, which has been advocating for an indefinite postponement of the new codes. In response to Tavenner’s latest remarks, AMA President Ardis Dee Hoven, MD, said, “Many physicians are still waiting for their vendors to deliver updated software they need to use the ICD-10 codes. The later physicians receive this software, the harder it will become to test it out before the October 1ICD-10 deadline.”nn“Testing is needed to discover problems and resolve them prior to the go live date. The slightest glitch in the ICD-10 rollout could potentially cause a billion dollar back-log of medical claims that jeopardizes physician practices and disrupts patients’ access to care,” Hoven continued in a public statement. “The AMA is deeply concerned that Medicare does not have a back-up plan if last minute testing demonstrates anticipated problems with this massive coding transition. At the end of the day sticking hard and fast to the ICD-10 deadline without a back-up plan to address disruptions in medical claims processing will hurt doctors and their patients.”nnTo help providers overcome the big hurdles standing between them and ICD-10 success, CMS has released a flurry of transition tools, such as detailed end-to-end preparation checklists and resources from its eHealth University. Educational sessions at HIMSS14, including a Q&A presentation by the HIMSS ICD-10 Taskforce, also attempted to prepare providers for the upcoming changes.nnTavenner’s assertion is the latest in a series of CMS statements reaffirming the October 1 transition date. As early as August of 2013, Pat Brooks, RHIA, Senior Technical Advisor at CMS, warned providers that there would be no extensions, and urged the industry to listen. “There will be no more delays,” she said during a National Provider Call. “Those who are postponing ICD-10 implementation planning, thinking there might be additional delays, should really begin to plan implementation now. There will be no more delays to the ICD-10 implementation date.”nnSource: www.ehrintelligence.com; Jennifer Bresnick; March 4, 2014.
This ICD-10 Coffee Klatch webinar is an informative review and excellent starting point for physician and hospital coders. Ms. Toni Woods and Ms. Whitney Horton, both AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainers, will give viewers a glimpse of Welter Healthcare Partners’s formal ICD-10 Coder Academies and training, and provide an overview of ICD-10 Coding Conventions, Chapter Guidelines, Code Structures and an introduction to the 31 root operations in the Medical and Surgical sections of ICD-10-PCS.nn
Welter Healthcare Partners is proud to announce the addition of a webinar offering of the ICD-10 Coder Academy! nnThis session will take place July 8–10, 2014 with the registration deadline being May 30th. Registered Participants will have webinar training details emailed to them 72 hours prior to the training. Participant Training Books will be shipped 2 weeks before training. Please provide the address of where books should be shipped on the registration form.nnThis interactive and hands-on ICD-10 training is designed to prepare coders for the AAPC and AHIMA ICD-10 proficiency examinations. Participants will gain the tools they need to appropriately select ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes. These training sessions will be coder centric, and the content will be designed for those staff who will be responsible for applying (or verifying) these codes to documentation. Throughout the academy, participants will be given an assortment of scenarios to code to obtain the proficiency they need for coding in ICD-10.nnParticipants only needing ICD-10-CM training (physician and outpatient coding) should register for the first day of the academy only (Day 1).nnParticipants needing ICD-10-PCS training (hospital/inpatient coding) will need to register for the entire 3-day academy.n
Overview of ICD-10 Academy Agenda:
n(lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided each day)nnICD-10-CM (Day 1)nnnAHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainers will educate coding staff regarding ICD-10-CM with a focus on:n
n
Convention changes and additions
n
Concept changes and additions
n
Chapter specific guideline changes and additions
n
Live coding workshop
n
n**This training has the approval of 8.0 CEU’s from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) (AAPC members can submit these CEU’s to AAPC for credit)nnICD-10-PCS (Days 2 and 3)nnAHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainers will educate coding staff regarding ICD-10-PCS with a focus on:n
n
The structure of ICD-10-PCS text and codes
n
The definition and application of each root operation
n
The method by which an ICD-10-PCS code is selected
n
Live coding workshops
n
n **This training has the approval of 16.0 CEU’s from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) (AAPC members can submit these CEU’s to AAPC for credit)n
n[vc_toggle title=”Required Academy Materials:” size=”sm” el_id=””]AHIMA ICD-10-CM Coder Training Manual and/or AHIMA ICD-10-PCS Coder Training Manual – Upon registration participants Training Manuals (CM only, or CM/PCS for 3 day training) will be ordered on their behalf – cost is $75.00 per training manual (discounted from $100.00 per manual) and will be added to the registration fee.nnContexo ICD-10-CM (Draft) and/or ICD-10-PCS (Draft) – Upon registration participants coding manuals (CM only, or CM/PCS for 3 day training) will be ordered on their behalf – cost is $90.00 per ICD-10 book and will be added to the ration fee. ($180.00 for both CM and PCS books for the 3 day training) (Discounted from $110.00 per book)nn**Book Pick-Up: In order for pre-requisites to be completed prior to the actual course date, participants will be required to pick up their books from 8am – 5pm, at Welter Healthcare Partners headquarters at 6870 W. 52nd Avenue, Suite 102, Arvada, CO 80002 on:n
n
Friday, February 28, 2014 – for the March Coder Academy
n
Friday, May 30, 2014 – for the June Coder Academy
n
nIf you need to make alternative arrangements to pick up your books, please contact Jennifer at 303.534.0388.[/vc_toggle]nn[vc_toggle title=”Academy Pre-Requisites:” size=”sm” el_id=””]nnICD-10-CM Only (day 1):nICD-10-CM Coder Training Manual: Pages 2-82; Reading and accompanying section review questionsnnICD-10-CM-PCS (3 day academy):nICD-10-CM Coder Training Manual: Pages 2-82; Reading and accompanying section review questions and ICD-10-PCS Coder Training Manual: Pages 2-83; Reading and accompanying section review questions[/vc_toggle]nn[vc_toggle title=”Academy Dates and Locations:” size=”sm” el_id=””]nnEnglewood, COnREGISTRATION DEADLINE MARCH 4thnMarch 12-14, 2014n8:00am – 5:00pmn(On 3/13/14 training will be held from 9:00am – 6:00pm)nSwedish Medical Center – Pine B & C Conference Roomn501 E. Hampden AvenuenEnglewood, CO 80113[/threecol_one] [threecol_one]Thornton, COnREGISTRATION DEADLINE May 30thnJune 11-13, 2014n8:00am – 5:00pmnSpine Education & Research Instituten9005 Grant Street, Suite 100nThornton, CO 80229[/threecol_one] [threecol_one_last]ONLINE (web-based) Coder AcademynREGISTRATION DEADLINE June 20thnJuly 8-10 2014n8:00am – 5:00pmnRegistered Participants will have webinar training details emailed to them 72 hours prior to the training.nnParticipant Training Books will be shipped 2 weeks before training. Please provide the address of where books should be shipped on the registration form.[/vc_toggle]n
Academy Registration Fee:
nICD-10-CM Only (Day 1) – $275.00 per participant (plus $165.00 for the training manual and the ICD-10-CM book)nnICD-10-CM-PCS (3 Day Academy) – $800.00 per participant (plus $330.00 for the training manuals and the ICD-10-CM/PCS Books)n
Registration Discounts:
nPractices registering 3+ participants will receive $50.00 off each registration.n
Seating is limited, register now to guarantee your spot today!
nToni Woods, CPC and Whitney Horton, CPC, CCCnMs. Woods and Ms. Horton are AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainers. They are educators and trainers in the areas of ICD-10, physician documentation, Medicare coding and documentation guidelines, ambulatory medicine coding, hospital, and other facility coding and documentation. They work with physician practices of all specialties and are experts in analyzing chart documentation and in reengineering practices to enhance their reimbursement systems and processes, and overall increase revenue and profitability. Their goal is to empower physicians and health care professionals and staff to understand the language of the coding and billing world, and to give them the tools they need for successful reporting and reimbursement of their services. Ms. Woods and Ms. Horton are enthusiastic about the future of ICD-10 and are on the forefront of providing ICD-10-CM/PCS education and implementation processes.
S06.0X0A — Concussion without loss of consciousness, initial encounternnW20.8XXA — Struck by thrown object, bouquet of roses, initial encounternnY93.21 — Activity, figure skating (singles) (pairs)nnIn preparation for the upcoming deadline for ICD-10 implementation, Welter Healthcare Partners presents weekly ICD-10 Codes of the Week! Our goal is to familiarize you with the new and expanded code set and the additional clinical documentation needed from your providers to comply with ICD-10 coding, and more importantly, for accurate and clean claims submission to keep your revenue stream flowing! We are to help YOU prepare for the October 1, 2014 implementation date. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for all of your training and education needs!
I50.21 — Acute systolic (congestive) heart failurennI25.3 — Aneurysm of heartnn746.87 — Malposition of heart and cardiac apexnnR12 — HeartburnnnIn preparation for the upcoming deadline for ICD-10 implementation, Welter Healthcare Partners presents weekly ICD-10 Codes of the Week! Our goal is to familiarize you with the new and expanded code set and the additional clinical documentation needed from your providers to comply with ICD-10 coding, and more importantly, for accurate and clean claims submission to keep your revenue stream flowing! We are to help YOU prepare for the October 1, 2014 implementation date. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for all of your training and education needs!
nThe compliance date for ICD-10 implementation stands firm at October 1, 2014. ICD-10 will bring monumental changes to all physician practices and hospitals, and they face a significant financial impact; including claims denials, cash flow issues, and decreased productivity, if not adequately prepared for the ICD-10 transition.nn[toggle title_open=”Overview of FREE ICD-10 Seminar and Coffee Klatch Webinar” title_closed=”Overview of FREE ICD-10 Seminar and Coffee Klatch” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”]nn Welter Healthcare Partners is hosting a “Coffee Klatch” on February 27th, 2014. The session will take place from 1–3 PM, Mountain Time. This FREE “Coffee Klatch” is an excellent starting point for physician and hospital coders, and will provide an overview of ICD-10 including:n
Discuss ICD-10-PCS Guidelines and Code Structure (15 mins)
n
Introduce the 31 root operations in the Medical & Surgical Section of ICD-10-PCS (15 mins)
n
Discuss Coder Academy Information (15 mins)
n
Q&A (15 mins)[/toggle]
n
nREGISTRATION IS CLOSED, AS THIS EVENT HAS PASSED.nnNote: Webinar details will be emailed to participants 72 hours before the event.nn[hr]nnThe team at Welter Healthcare Partners has been hard at work, prepping for some exciting and insightful events! Check out some of our upcoming ICD-10 Training opportunities below.n
nRegistration deadline for March Academy is March 4th.nnnThis interactive and hands-on ICD-10 training is designed to prepare coders for the AAPC and AHIMA ICD-10 proficiency examinations. Participants will gain the tools they need to appropriately select ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes. These training sessions will be coder centric, and the content will be designed for those staff who will be responsible for applying (or verifying) these codes to documentation. Throughout the academy, participants will be given an assortment of scenarios to code to obtain the proficiency they need for coding in ICD-10.nn[toggle title_open=”Overview of ICD-10 Coder Academy” title_closed=”Overview of ICD-10 Coder Academy” hide=”yes” border=”yes” style=”default” excerpt_length=”0″ read_more_text=”Read More” read_less_text=”Read Less” include_excerpt_html=”no”](lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided each day)n
[twocol_one]ICD-10-CM (Day 1)nAHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainers will educate coding staff regarding ICD-10-CM with a focus on:n
n
Convention changes and additions
n
Concept changes and additions
n
Chapter specific guideline changes and additions
n
Live coding workshop
n
n**This training has the approval of 8.0 CEU’s from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) (AAPC members can submit these CEU’s to AAPC for credit)nn[/twocol_one] [twocol_one_last]ICD-10-PCS (Days 2 and 3)nn
nAHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainers will educate coding staff regarding ICD-10-PCS with a focus on:n
n
The structure of ICD-10-PCS text and codes
n
The definition and application of each root operation
n
The method by which an ICD-10-PCS code is selected
n
Live coding workshops
n
n **This training has the approval of 16.0 CEU’s from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) (AAPC members can submit these CEU’s to AAPC for credit)[/twocol_one_last]nn[/toggle]n
CHIEF ICD-10 Implementation Plan: 5 Steps to Success!( for Physicians and Outpatient Coding)
nAs your CHIEF trainer for ICD-10, we will guide your practice and providers through the implementation process to help ensure your practice is ready on October 1, 2014! Our AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainers will utilize the CHIEF ICD-10 Implementation Plan, and work closely with your providers, coders, billers, and other staff through each step of the implementation and training process.nn
Step 1:Collect data for your top 25 diagnosis codes (50 for Orthopedics!) and review your providers’ (physicians and mid-levels) current documentation to assess ICD-10 readiness. This step will also include forward-mapping of your top diagnosis codes with ICD-10 cheat-sheets for the providers and staff.
Step 2:Highlight areas of needed training for your coding and billing staff. We will utilize your top diagnosis codes data and documentation reviews performed in step 1, and provide a 4 hour intensive, hands-on training and workshop for your coders and billers. We will also formulate a strategic plan for your coders and billers to continue the review and education process with the providers until the implementation date. CEU’s for your certified coders are given for this training!
Step 3:Implement intensive provider training:nnProvider Training #1: A specialty-specific general overview of ICD-10 for all providers (2 hour group training).nnProvider Training #2: One-on-one education with each of the providers (1 hour per provider) to assess their ICD-10 readiness using results from the documentation reviews performed in step 1, and practical tips on how to improve documentation going forward. We recommend that your coding and/or billing staff participate in these one-on-one trainings so they are comfortable continuing the review and education process with the providers until the implementation date.
Step 4:Evaluate EHR, PM, and Clearinghouse readiness. On your behalf we will prepare a “System(s) Readiness Guide” and query vendors on their readiness and routinely provide materials and updates on vendor status to help ensure your revenue stream will not be affected by this transition. We will also provide your staff with a plan to follow up on targeted vendor deadlines.
Step 5:Follow-up provider ICD-10 documentation reviews and additional provider training. Final consultation with your staff on system and vendor readiness.
If you’re still banking on an ICD-10 delay, you might want to prepare yourself for yet another disappointment. At HIMSS14 last week, CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner stated once again that no such postponement is in the cards, and providers either need to get ready or prepare to stop getting paid. “There are no more delays and the system will go live on October 1,” Tavenner said during her keynote address to attendees of the conference in Orlando, Florida. “Let’s face it guys, we’ve delayed this several times and it’s time to move on.”nnThe deadline has many stakeholders worried about the impact of the hard cut-over from ICD-9 to ICD-10, with some vendors still developing ICD-10 compliant products and many providers and payers deeply concerned about inadequate testing procedures before the new code set goes live. While the Medicare testing week is taking place as we speak, and CMS recently announced a limited end-to-end pilot for some sample providers, the generally lackluster effort to engage the industry in testing has a number of experts on edge.nnAmong the most vocal about the upcoming doomsday is the American Medical Association, which has been advocating for an indefinite postponement of the new codes. In response to Tavenner’s latest remarks, AMA President Ardis Dee Hoven, MD, said, “Many physicians are still waiting for their vendors to deliver updated software they need to use the ICD-10 codes. The later physicians receive this software, the harder it will become to test it out before the October 1ICD-10 deadline.”nn“Testing is needed to discover problems and resolve them prior to the go live date. The slightest glitch in the ICD-10 rollout could potentially cause a billion dollar back-log of medical claims that jeopardizes physician practices and disrupts patients’ access to care,” Hoven continued in a public statement. “The AMA is deeply concerned that Medicare does not have a back-up plan if last minute testing demonstrates anticipated problems with this massive coding transition. At the end of the day sticking hard and fast to the ICD-10 deadline without a back-up plan to address disruptions in medical claims processing will hurt doctors and their patients.”nnTo help providers overcome the big hurdles standing between them and ICD-10 success, CMS has released a flurry of transition tools, such as detailed end-to-end preparation checklists and resources from its eHealth University. Educational sessions at HIMSS14, including a Q&A presentation by the HIMSS ICD-10 Taskforce, also attempted to prepare providers for the upcoming changes.nnTavenner’s assertion is the latest in a series of CMS statements reaffirming the October 1 transition date. As early as August of 2013, Pat Brooks, RHIA, Senior Technical Advisor at CMS, warned providers that there would be no extensions, and urged the industry to listen. “There will be no more delays,” she said during a National Provider Call. “Those who are postponing ICD-10 implementation planning, thinking there might be additional delays, should really begin to plan implementation now. There will be no more delays to the ICD-10 implementation date.”nnSource: www.ehrintelligence.com; Jennifer Bresnick; March 4, 2014.
This ICD-10 Coffee Klatch webinar is an informative review and excellent starting point for physician and hospital coders. Ms. Toni Woods and Ms. Whitney Horton, both AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainers, will give viewers a glimpse of Welter Healthcare Partners’s formal ICD-10 Coder Academies and training, and provide an overview of ICD-10 Coding Conventions, Chapter Guidelines, Code Structures and an introduction to the 31 root operations in the Medical and Surgical sections of ICD-10-PCS.nn
Welter Healthcare Partners is proud to announce the addition of a webinar offering of the ICD-10 Coder Academy! nnThis session will take place July 8–10, 2014 with the registration deadline being May 30th. Registered Participants will have webinar training details emailed to them 72 hours prior to the training. Participant Training Books will be shipped 2 weeks before training. Please provide the address of where books should be shipped on the registration form.nnThis interactive and hands-on ICD-10 training is designed to prepare coders for the AAPC and AHIMA ICD-10 proficiency examinations. Participants will gain the tools they need to appropriately select ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes. These training sessions will be coder centric, and the content will be designed for those staff who will be responsible for applying (or verifying) these codes to documentation. Throughout the academy, participants will be given an assortment of scenarios to code to obtain the proficiency they need for coding in ICD-10.nnParticipants only needing ICD-10-CM training (physician and outpatient coding) should register for the first day of the academy only (Day 1).nnParticipants needing ICD-10-PCS training (hospital/inpatient coding) will need to register for the entire 3-day academy.n
S06.0X0A — Concussion without loss of consciousness, initial encounternnW20.8XXA — Struck by thrown object, bouquet of roses, initial encounternnY93.21 — Activity, figure skating (singles) (pairs)nnIn preparation for the upcoming deadline for ICD-10 implementation, Welter Healthcare Partners presents weekly ICD-10 Codes of the Week! Our goal is to familiarize you with the new and expanded code set and the additional clinical documentation needed from your providers to comply with ICD-10 coding, and more importantly, for accurate and clean claims submission to keep your revenue stream flowing! We are to help YOU prepare for the October 1, 2014 implementation date. Please don’t hesitate to 
I50.21 — Acute systolic (congestive) heart failurennI25.3 — Aneurysm of heartnn746.87 — Malposition of heart and cardiac apexnnR12 — HeartburnnnIn preparation for the upcoming deadline for ICD-10 implementation, Welter Healthcare Partners presents weekly ICD-10 Codes of the Week! Our goal is to familiarize you with the new and expanded code set and the additional clinical documentation needed from your providers to comply with ICD-10 coding, and more importantly, for accurate and clean claims submission to keep your revenue stream flowing! We are to help YOU prepare for the October 1, 2014 implementation date. Please don’t hesitate to 
