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Role-based Model for ICD-10 Implementation: Academic Timeline for Current Students

Current Students

Students currently in an academic program related to the coding profession may be concerned about how the transition to ICD-10 will impact their education and ultimately their employability once they have completed their program.

The overriding goal for you, as a student, is to ensure you will be prepared to pass credentialing exams and enter the workforce in a coding-related role during the implementation time period and beyond the actual implementation date.  The keys to successful progress through an academic program, and avoiding retaking courses, is early planning to define a course of study and then successfully following through on that course of study.

To Do Phase 1:

  1. Students will be introduced to ICD-10-CM/PCS either as a supplemental course or with information about ICD-10 as part of the current coding course work. For the school year three years prior to implementation, ICD-9-CM is the primary classification system.
  2. You should review the ICD-10 final rule to understand the implementation date for ICD-10-CM/PCS and the changes to come.
  3. When do you expect to graduate? If during or after implementation, discuss with your academic advisor an educational plan to schedule coding courses so that the ICD-10-CM/PCS courses are selected.
  4. Ask your academic program to share the department's plans to expand the curriculum content on courses affected by the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS.
  5. The ICD-10-CM/PCS classification system relies heavily on the student's knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and medical terminology.  Be sure to keep all study materials from these courses, as you will reference them when preparing to be trained for the new classification system.
  6. Learn about the structure, organization, and unique features of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS.
  7. Graduates from the school year three years prior to implementation should be proficient in ICD-9-CM and familiar with the ICD-10-CM/PCS systems. Individuals in the HIM workforce will receive training on ICD-10-CM/PCS through their employer and AHIMA. This workforce training is anticipated to occur six to twelve months prior to implementation.

Corresponding Resources:

To Do Phase 2:

  1. Expect that degree programs will teach both ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM/PCS classification systems during this transitional year with an emphasis either on ICD-9-CM or ICD-10-CM/PCS depending on your expected graduation date. Generally speaking, most two-year programs anticipate teaching both systems in year one coding courses and converting to ICD-10-CM/PCS for year two coding courses.
  2. Take the initiative to ensure that you are taking the appropriate courses that have been defined for your academic plan (working backwards from your anticipated graduation date). Remember, changes in your graduation plan will affect the selection of coding courses that are right for you.
  3. Continue to keep abreast of your college/university's plan to expand the content of courses affected by the transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS.
  4. The ICD-10-CM/PCS classification systems rely heavily on the student's knowledge of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, and medical terminology. Be sure to keep all study materials from these courses, as you will reference them when preparing to be trained for the new classification systems.
  5. Graduates from the school year two years prior to implementation should be proficient in ICD-9-CM and familiar with the ICD-10-CM/PCS systems. Individuals in the HIM workforce will receive training on ICD-10-CM/PCS through their employer and AHIMA. This workforce training is anticipated to occur 2013 six to twelve months prior to implementation.

Corresponding Resources:

  • If you have not already, Obtain AHIMA student membership; this membership will provide you with access to the Body of Knowledge (BoK) and Student Community of Practice (CoP)

To Do Phase 3:

  1. Students enrolled in degree programs at the start of the school year two years prior to implementation will have ICD-10-CM/PCS as the primary coding classification scheme in all coding course work.
  2. Students who began their coursework in prior school years will be on tailored graduation plans to determine the best selection of coding course work for their graduation date.
  3. Students graduating in one year prior to implementation will need to be proficient in ICD-9-CM and have a working knowledge of ICD-10-CM/PCS. Individuals in the HIM workforce will receive training on ICD-10-CM/PCS through their employer and AHIMA. This workforce training is anticipated to occur six to twelve months prior to implementation.

Corresponding Resources:

  • If you have not already, Obtain AHIMA student membership; this membership will provide you with access to the Body of Knowledge (BoK) and Student Community of Practice (CoP)

To Do Phase 4:

  1. Expect that coding certificate programs (one year or less to complete) have completed the conversion to ICD-10-CM/PCS in all coding courses by the fall term one year prior to implementation. Any coding courses you take in such a program in the school yearbeginning one year prior to implementation should be focused on ICD-10-CM/PCS.
  2. Expect that all degreed programs are teaching ICD-10-CM/PCS as the primary classification systems.
  3. Students graduating in the year of implementation should be proficient in ICD-10-CM/PCS and have a basic understanding of ICD-9-CM (for legacy data purposes).

Corresponding Resources:

  • If you have not already, obtain AHIMA student membership; this membership will provide you with access to the Body of Knowledge (BoK) and Student Community of Practice (CoP)