A recent survey revealed 96% of respondents are concerned about the impact of the ICD-10 coding classification transition. Seventy-three percent anticipate an impact on their practice, either financially or operationally, from the transition. The Nuesoft Technologies survey revealed that healthcare professionals are preparing themselves for what many perceive to be a less than smooth transition, come October 2014.
With the recent announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that the transitin of the ICD-10 coding classification system has indeed been delayed until October 2014, many are feeling anxiety. The primary reason for the decision, according to CMS, was costs. Most healthcare providers can relate to the anxiety around costs.
There were several options for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) when they had to decide on the proposal to delay the ICD-10 compliance. In the end, they chose to affirm the proposed October 2014 deadline for the coding classification transition to be complete.
The US was one of the first countries to adapt ICD 9 codes for medical billing and claims. So you would think the ICD 10 coding classification transition would be something providers wouldn't necessarily fear. However, it is far more comprehensive than its predecessor.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the final decision on a rule that will delay the deadline for healthcare providers to implement the ICD-10 medical coding system by one year. We have been reporting on this project and talking about its challenges and benefits for quite some time. Most people thought this decision was already made so few are surprised by this announcement.
There is a push from healthcare organization leaders for insight into what the potential reimbursement risks will be in t he new ICD-10 coding classification system. Providers are beginning to take a hard look at revenue impacts hidden within the ICD-10 conversion and what they will mean for healthcare.
Healthcare providers are working towards the ICD-10 coding transition and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released recommendations of what the communication plan for the ICD-10 transition should contain.
Edifecs’ facilitated a discussion around challenges and best approaches for the ICD-10 testing. This project is quite possibility the toughest one most professionals have faced due to the complexity and the potential impact.
With the many decisions healthcare providers are being asked to make in preparation for the ICD-10 coding classification transition, it seems it would be beneficial to ask software vendors some very applicable and important questions.
The American Health Information Association (AHIMA) has provided new ICD-10-CM/PCS online coder training courses to help healthcare organizations prepare for the ICD-10 coding classification transition.