ICD-10 codes are much better than ICD-9 codes for several reasons:
- Greater Detail: ICD-10 codes offer much greater specificity and detail than ICD-9 codes. There are more codes available in ICD-10, which allows for more precise coding and greater accuracy in describing a patient’s condition.
- Improved Clinical Concepts: ICD-10 codes are more reflective of current clinical concepts, which is important for clinicians when documenting patient encounters. They also better align with current medical practices and technology.
- Greater Flexibility: ICD-10 codes allow for greater flexibility in coding. They are more easily customized to fit a specific situation, which can improve the accuracy of the coding.
- Better Communication: ICD-10 codes are more standardized and internationally recognized, which facilitates better communication among healthcare professionals and improves the ability to track and analyze healthcare data on a global scale.
Overall, the increased specificity and detail provided by ICD-10 codes makes them a significant improvement over ICD-9 codes, and has led to improved patient care, better public health outcomes, and more accurate billing and reimbursement practices.