By Mary Rechtoris
David Geier, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Sports Medicine Specialists of Charleston and East Cooper Sports Medicine discusses concerns orthopedic surgeons have pertaining to the upcoming ICD-10 transition and the ways surgeons are reimbursed.
Question: What are some of the concerns surgeons have about the switch to ICD-10?
Dr. David Geier: There is a lot of apprehension about the upcoming switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 codes. From what I hear, orthopedic surgeons are impacted more than other specialty because many changes are orthopedic in nature. You have to modify codes for left knee vs. the right knee. If you have a patient with arthritis, you have to specify what kind of arthritis.
Q: Will the transition to ICD-10 impact patient care?