Why has the U.S. decided to move from ICD-9 to ICD-10?

Key issues in adopting ICD-10- CM are:
• ICD-9 is 30 years old and is outdated.
• ICD-9 is running out of spaces for new codes. Codes added in recent years are in the wrong chapters because the correct chapters were full, with nowhere to add new codes.
• ICD-9 codes cannot reflect current and evolving medical technologies.
• The current codes are limited in their descriptions. New codes will allow for a greater level of detail, including etiology, manifestation, and laterality.
• ICD-9 does not provide the increased level of detail needed for emerging needs like biosurveillance and competitive purchasing. […]

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