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The National Library of Medicine (NLM) has released a preview version of a SNOMED CT to ICD-10-CM map to automatically generate ICD-10-CM codes from clinical data entered into electronic health records (EHRs).

Many are concerned about the delay in the ICD-10 compliance deadline and worry that in actuality, it won’t improve readiness and could even harm other health reform efforts.

A recent survey by Edifecs reports that about two-thirds of health care professionals do not believe a delay in ICD-10 implementation will improve readiness for the new coding standards. This is disheartening considering U.S. health care organizations are working to transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 code sets to accommodate codes for new diseases and procedures. The switch from about 14,000 codes for about 69,000 codes was supposed to be done by October 1, 2013.

Edifecs, Inc. has released the results of a survey about the impact a postponement of the ICD-10 compliance deadline would have on a healthcare organization’s ICD-10 transition plans, budget and progress. The findings indicate that 64 percent believe a delay will not improve readiness, 76 percent believe a delay will harm other healthcare reform efforts, and 69 percent say a two-year delay would be either “potentially catastrophic” or “unrecoverable.”

There is a lot being said about the surprising decision by the Department of Health and Human Services to extend the existing Oct. 10, 2013, ICD-10 implementation deadline. Many worry this will stop the process altogether and they have already invested in the process, both in time and money. Some may be happy as it will give them more time to tackle this large and overwhelming project. It is just those type of differences that is also causing suspicion for some. They are hypothesizing about the real cause and worries about ulterior motives can start to surface.

Many have wondered if they should wait and see what the decision is for a new ICD-10 transition. However a true leader in healthcare won’t limit their objectives to just meeting a deadline, but concentrate on improving the process of clinical documentation and quality of care.

Health information management organization, Precyse, sent an open letter to all healthcare colleagues regarding the proposed ICD-10 delay. The letter addressed the question many are pondering – What do we do now? Do we go forward with our planned ICD-10 implementation road maps?