Public Submissions for ICD-10-AM

The National Centre for Classification in Health invites public submissions for modifications to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification (ICD-10-AM), the Australian Classification of Health Interventions (ACHI) and the Australian Coding Standards (ACS).

This information is intended to provide guidance in how to make a submission for modifications to ICD-10-AM, ACHI and the ACS.

The main objectives of the public submission process are to ensure that ICD-10-AM, ACHI and the ACS:

  • meet the needs of users throughout the health care system
  • continue to be comprehensive and meaningful classifications

THE PUBLIC SUBMISSION PROCESS

What to consider when preparing a submission
There are a number of reasons to consider modification of the disease and procedure classification:

  1. Existing ICD-10-AM/ACHI code is too general or lacks specificity
  2. Existing ICD-10-AM/ACHI code assignment is outdated due to advances in medical knowledge
  3. Disease, related health problem or procedure/intervention is currently not classified in ICD-10-AM/ACHI. For example, identification of a new disease or procedure, diseases of uncertain aetiology or a new procedure must represent a unique concept to expert clinicians in that specialty. For procedures, they must be sufficiently important and different in terms of frequency, cost, site, procedure, technique, approach, use of technology or device, stage or invasiveness to warrant a separate description.
  4. Typographical Error has been found within ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS
  5. ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS indexing issues
  6. ACS issues

When developing a submission, consideration should be given to the following points:

  • Is the problem experienced with the classification a result of data collection methods?
  • Is the problem due to lack of knowledge of the classification?
  • Is the recommended modification due to a need for information specific only to a unique situation?
  • Does the recommendation for modification or new code compromise the purpose and structure of ICD-10-AM or ACHI? That is, does the recommendation follow existing codes and conventions and relate to a disease, an injury, a related health problem, an external cause, a drug or chemical or a procedure (intervention)?
  • Does the recommended modification or new code overlap with any existing codes in the classification?
  • Does the recommended modification or new code require definition to ensure correct usage?

How to proceed with your public submission
After consideration of the above criteria for modification, submissions must be prepared following the format provided. To lodge a public submission you will need to go to ?Quick Links?, ?ICD-10-AM/ACHI?, ?ICD-10-AM Public Submission?. Here, you will be required to sign into the NCCH Information System (NIS). If you already have NIS identification (ID), then you can login and proceed to the public submission page. However, you can register if you do not have an NIS ID. You will be able to then prepare your submission at your convenience and save your work until you have completed it (save draft). To access your saved draft (prior to submission) you will go to ?Quick Links?, ?ICD-10-AM/ACHI?, ?My ICD-10-AM Public Submission?. Once your submission is complete, you can then submit (submit button). All documentation (word documents, relevant websites) supportive of, and relevant to, the submission should be attached.

What will happen with your public submission?
Receipt of public submissions will be acknowledged via email. NCCH staff will evaluate the recommendations against the criteria, considering the identified need and the need also to maintain an acceptable level of stability in the classification.

CCCG advice will be sought where necessary during the evaluation process and CSAC will recommend to NCCH, those submissions that should be considered and further developed for inclusion in ICD-10-AM and ACHI. Those making a submission will be able to view their submission?s progress via the website and will be advised of the outcome of the ratification process.

submission period In the past, the public submission time frame was limited to a three month period during a two year cycle. However, from July 2008 the NCCH will be accepting public submissions for changes to ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS all year round. This will encourage States to work on submission documents as classification issues are identified and submit them online, via the NCCH website.

It should be acknowledged that the NCCH works to update ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS within a two year time frame. It is often very difficult to incorporate all public submissions into the next edition of ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS when taking into account the time spent on research, consultation, WHO approval (when required) and proofing and. The NCCH does prioritise public submissions where necessary, which means that not all the public submissions received within the two year cycle will necessarily be implemented in the next edition of ICD-10-AM/ACH/.