Many Unprepared For ICD-10
With deadline looming, many healthcare organizations not taking necessary measures to prepare
The AMA strongly urges healthcare facilities to begin training their staff now, well before implementation of ICD-10 takes place. The Department of Health and Human Services granted a one-year delay on the implementation, but with only nine months left, facilities are strongly urged to take action. "The AMA appreciates the administration's decision to provide a one-year delay in response to AMA advocacy, but we have urged CMS to do more to reduce the regulatory burdens on physician practices so physicians can spend more time with patients," Steven J. Stack, M.D., AMA Board Chair said.
According to Wayne Cafran, advisory principal in KPMG’s Healthcare & Life Sciences practice, "Healthcare organizations will have their work cut out to properly absorb the impact that the new coding will have on their business." A KPMG survey determined that 50 percent of health plans and providers have not yet estimated how the new coding system will impact their cash flow. Not taking the proper measures to ensure the new process will run smoothly on the first day can lead to numerous problems for healthcare providers.
A survey conducted by WEDI concluded that the healthcare industry is making painstakingly slow progress towards preparation, with only one-fifth of vendors halfway or less than halfway through product development. “Based on the survey results, it is clear the industry continues to make slow progress, but not the amount of progress that is needed for a smooth transition. The industry is far
behind the milestones suggested in the WEDI/NCHICA timeline, and has slipped further behind when compared to the February 2013 survey results. Factors that contribute to this slow progress include the change in compliance date, competing internal priorities and other regulatory mandates.”
Medscape offers advice on preparing for ICD-10 with the development of a relationship between clinicians and coders one of the most important strategies for success. "The relationship between clinicians and coding professionals will have to evolve for ICD-10 to run smoothly. Clinicians do not need to understand all of the intricacies of coding, and coders do not need to understand all of medicine - but the 2 must work together to ensure optimal accuracy."
One strategy Medscape offers is to get the leaders on page with the planned changes and make sure they fully understand it. The next step is to train personnel. Coders need at least six months to train before the implementation takes place. During training, it is beneficial for providers and payers to train together so that any issues can be identified and addressed ahead of time.
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