Everyone Can Use A Little Help
For providers who are seeking some feedback and support about their ICD-10 transition plan, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a series of listening sessions.
Social Media Rumble
The two giants of social media have always been Facebook and Twitter. A recent change on Facebook's part looks an awful lot like a Twitter tradition. Looking to improve its search and indexing capabilities, Facebook is now adding the hashtag symbol. Admittedly, many users have brought that habit with them from Twitter but for it to be embraced by the rival giant is interesting, to say the least.
Racing the Clock
It should be no surprise that time is the biggest obstacle for healthcare professionals as they prepare for the ICD-10 conversion. With just over a year and a half left until the October 1, 2014 deadline, a recent survey showed that 74.6% of the respondents are only 25% or less completed in their ICD-10 implementations.
Talking Numbers
ICD-10 will have a big impact on the medical reimbursement project for healthcare organizations of every size. The ICD-10 coding classification transition is a huge code increase from ICD-9, with five times the number of codes to manage for reimbursement.
Managing the Panic
The one-year delay in the deadline for moving to the ICD-10 diagnostic coding system has been set, and many healthcare professionals are not satisfied that the delay is long enough to relieve some of the burdens that come with the transition.
Predicted Burdens
The transition to new diagnosis codes that will culminate in October 2014 is predicted to be a significant burden for physician practices and possibly cause many to go out of business. At least that is what the American Medical Association and other organized medicine groups predicted in a December 20, 2012, letter.
Are You Ready?
A comprehensive ICD-10 testing service has been launched by CTG Health Solutions that will help health organizations comply with the new coding system in plenty of time before the October 2014 deadline.
Findability is the Goal
Compiled Services has released version 4.6 of ReadySuite, a quality control and conversion tool for load files, TIFFs, and PDFs for eDiscovery processing and review platforms. Users are able to monitor and make any necessary changes in order to comply with eDiscovery requirements.
ICD-10 Assistance Help Available
The ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, soon to be called the ICD-10-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, is holding a meeting for coders and others where they will update them on their recent activities. The meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2013 and will also be available via webcast.
ICD-10 Requires Training
In the midst of the many challenges the transition to ICD-10 has brought to healthcare organizations, the biggest concern seems to be with training and clinical readiness. Medical providers seem to be satisfied with the technology options surrounding the transition, but worry that their staff aren't prepared and the result will be a financial disasater.