A medical man, "C.T. Azeff," is interested in this newfangled blogging biz. He emailed me this initial offering which is partly in response to If Obamacare Doesn't Kill Small Medical Practices, Bureaucratic ICD-10 Coding Requirements Might :
OK class, take out a pen and piece of paper, I am going to tell you a bit about ICD 10.
First, don't be alarmed by the prophets of doom who say you docs will be required to use this carefully crafted taxonomy in order for the insurers to refuse to compensate you for your services. This is true. I had dinner with an oncologist friend who is in bankruptcy because even though his patient's insurance company gave prior approval for a $100,000 course of chemotherapy they maintained that did not obligate them to actually pay for the cost. He already had, and on multiple occasions.
Back to ICD 10. This document will allow you to kick back and have some laughs about the conditions you likely will not be called upon to treat. The Monty Python crew had a field day constructing this and they've arranged for the ICD 10 office to be right next door to the Department of Silly Walks. Viz:
V9733XA: Sucked into a jet engine, initial encounter
V9733XD: Sucked into jet engine subsequent encounter (Should this person be allowed on runways?)
V9733XS: Sucked into jet engine, sequelae ( this is for the litigators)
But, don't overlook,
Index to External Causes of Injury
Accident
E919.1 Bore, earth drilling or mining
Land or seabed
E919.7 Bulldozer
E909.9 Cataclysmic:
Earth surface movement or eruption
So, be grateful if you only have to deal with intangibles and won't get blood on your shoes.
I'll be back soon to discuss Scott Stossel's heroic battle with anxiety and transgressive therapists.
CTAzeff
