What Learners and Instructors Told Us About ICD-10 Education — and How Getcodexa Is Built to Fix It

Over the past several months, we surveyed instructors, students, certified coders, and working professionals to understand their real experiences with ICD-10 education. The responses were remarkably consistent across roles, experience levels, and backgrounds. Whether a student just beginning their training or a certified professional coder with years in the field, the message was the same: ICD-10 education is still too dependent on outdated tools, ineffective memorization strategies, and a lack of structural clarity.

This feedback shaped Getcodexa’s design from the beginning. Instead of assuming what learners needed, we asked — and listened.

The Most Common Pain Point: “I never had a clear structure, and that made everything harder.”

Students repeatedly shared that the biggest barrier in early ICD-10 learning was simply understanding how the system works. They often jumped straight into codes without having the foundational framework reinforced. Instructors echoed this, with many expressing that students struggled because they lacked the structure needed to interpret new information confidently.

Getcodexa’s approach is built around reinforcing this structure — chapters, categories, subcategories, and code-level detail — through guided practice that helps learners apply what they’ve already been taught in class.

Practice Matters — But Current Tools Make It Difficult

Across the survey, learners identified the same set of tools they rely on today: textbooks, videos, flashcards, practice exams, and PDF worksheets. While helpful in isolation, these tools share the same limitations:

• They require long periods of uninterrupted study time.

• They are static, offering no feedback or progression.

• They are centered on memorizing codes rather than understanding patterns.

• They provide no insight into whether a learner is improving or falling behind.

Respondents also told us what type of practice they prefer: daily quizzes, case studies, progress tracking, and structured exercises. These are precisely the elements built into Getcodexa’s reinforcement model — short, predictable practice sessions designed to reduce overwhelm and strengthen understanding over time.

Instructors Are Missing Visibility They Need

Instructors emphasized a different pain point: once students leave the classroom, they have no reliable way to track learner performance or identify early gaps. Many said they struggle to understand which students are engaging with the material, which concepts are sticking, and where additional support is needed.

Over the past several months, we gathered structured feedback from instructors, students, certified coders, and working professionals through surveys and direct conversations to understand their real experiences with ICD-10 education.

“I would pay for something that actually helps me practice consistently.”

The survey also revealed that learners are willing to invest in tools that help them study more effectively. A majority of respondents indicated they would consider paying a monthly fee for a platform offering unlimited ICD-10 practice, provided it delivers value through structure, clarity, and measurable progress.

This feedback reaffirmed the need for Getcodexa: a tool that doesn’t overwhelm learners with information but guides them through manageable steps that build real confidence.

How Getcodexa Addresses What Traditional Tools Miss

Students told us they want:

• A clear learning sequence.

• Step-by-step reinforcement rather than memorization.

• Structured practice that fits into busy schedules.

• Feedback that helps them understand what to improve.

• A way to feel confident before stepping into the classroom.

Instructors told us they want:

• Better insight into student understanding.

• A way to strengthen foundational skills before formal assessments.

• Tools that complement — not replace — classroom instruction.

• More consistent practice from learners outside of class.

Getcodexa was built to meet these needs on both sides.

What Getcodexa Offers That Traditional Tools Do Not

We built the platform around four principles that emerged directly from this survey:

1. Structure first, details second.
   Learners reinforce the organizational logic of ICD-10 before trying to apply individual codes.

2. Short, daily practice over long, overwhelming study sessions.
   This matches how adult learners actually study.

3. Immediate feedback and progress tracking.
   Learners see where they’re improving — and where they aren’t — without guesswork.

4. Instructor visibility where it has never existed before.
   Dashboards allow educators to track engagement, identify gaps, and monitor readiness.

These principles ensure Getcodexa doesn’t become another static tool. It becomes a reinforcement partner.

What We Learned — and What Comes Next

The survey confirmed what many in coding education already know: ICD-10 learning needs to evolve. Students are asking for structure, consistency, and clarity. Instructors are asking for visibility, engagement, and better preparation. Employers are asking for coders who can navigate ICD-10 with accuracy and confidence.

Getcodexa’s mission is to help bridge all three.

Next week, we will share deeper insights into the behaviors, motivations, and preferences that emerged from our validation work — and how they are shaping future features of the platform.

To learn more or explore early access, visit www.getcodexa.com.