By Kimberly Maupin, CPC, RCC, AAPC Approved Instructor | August 15th, 2025 |

When annual ICD-10 changes roll out, staying compliant is only half the battle. Helping your coding team understand, retain, and apply those changes is where leadership makes a real difference.

Whether you’re a coding manager, compliance officer, or revenue cycle leader, your role in engaging the team is critical. Here are a few strategies that can make the transition smoother, more educational—and even a bit more fun.

Tips & Tricks for Engaging Coders with ICD-10 Updates

Getting your team to embrace annual code changes doesn’t have to be a struggle. Try these techniques to make the process smoother and more impactful:

Make it visual: Turn dense update lists into infographics, quick-reference sheets, or visual guides by specialty. Coders process a lot of information daily—visuals help key updates stick.

Create coding “champions”: Assign team members to become the go-to expert for certain sections (e.g., neuro, oncology, procedures). It gives them ownership and helps spread knowledge organically.

Incorporate into QA: Use recent coding audits or denials as case studies for how the new codes might change your outcomes. It connects the “why” behind the updates to daily work.

Gamify the learning: A short quiz, coding challenge, or friendly competition can break up monotony and make engagement more fun.

Leverage existing resources: Encourage use of CMS, CDC, and trusted coding education platforms to reinforce updates. Webinars, official guideline summaries, and newsletters are your friends.

Encourage a Team Mindset Around Change

If your coders feel overwhelmed each year, it’s a signal to rethink your approach. Leadership isn’t just about delivering updates—it’s about creating an environment where coders feel confident navigating change.

Whether you build in training sessions, promote peer learning, or celebrate team wins during audit reviews, the goal is the same: empower your coding team to own their expertise.