ICD-10 training seems to be an exercise in optimal timing. Medical coders shouldn't learn ICD-10-CM/PCS coding too early or they will forget what the codes mean by Oct. 1, 2014.

But Kristi Stanton makes the case that this is a good time to get into medical coding and learn ICD-10-CM/PCS. She's talking to untrained prospects who are looking for an educational program to give them the training needed to get jobs as medical coders.

If they follow her advice, will they be able to use their ICD-10 training? Maybe.

At least that's the recommendation I got from listening to 3M Health Information Systems experts speaking in a live Q&A on the ICD-10 final rule Sept. 5. JaeLynn Williams, senior vice president of marketing and client operations, moderated the panel:

• Rich Averill, senior vice president of clinical and economic research
• Sue Belley, ICD-10 education project manager
• Rhonda Butler, ICD-10 clinical research analyst
• Terri McCubbin, 3M consulting services
• Donna Smith, senior 3M consultant

During the session, Belley recommended that training start immediately. It can improve coder confidence - which can encourage medical coders to stay in the profession instead of retiring to avoid using ICD-10 codes.

And there can be an opportunity to use the ICD-10 coding training if a medical practice or hospital has dual coding. This means coding medical records in ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes.

By coding constantly with ICD-10 codes, medical coders will keep their knowledge fresh.

It's also chance to calculate DRGs using both code sets, according to Smith. She said dual coding will allow healthcare providers to compare data and make sure that reimbursements won't change Oct. 1, 2014.

Dual coding also can help identify opportunities for clinical documentation improvement (CDI) and areas where physicians need training.

"You can start working with them," said Belley. It can start with asking simple questions. This will help them get used to being more specific and answering queries. Then the required specificity will not be a big adjustment Oct. 1, 2014.

But there will be costs. Systems need to be designed for dual coding. And no matter what your vendor promises, dual coding is extra work. That means there will be a productivity loss. Maybe computer assisted coding (CAC) will help.

It's very likely that you will need to assign extra coding resources. That means planning and budgeting for it, according to Smith. She recommends estimating the productivity loss and budget accordingly.

For example, let's guess that dual coding will mean a 20 percent drop in productivity. If your medical coders process 10 medical claims per day, then they will only be able to process eight under dual coding. To keep the number of claims consistent (and preserve cash flow), schedule staff to process those two lost claims.

Yes, that means payroll goes up. But it also lessens the chances of disruption in two years. If it's worth the investment is up to you.