White Paper: Preparing For ICD-10: Evaluating Approaches And Potential Pitfalls

Nearly all organizations have implemented information systems and large-scale projects, and therefore understand how to develop a timeline to meet business and other objectives. The implementation of ICD-10, however, has some unique components that are worth considering in an effort to avoid potential problems.

The ambiguity of how organizations will address the ICD-10 implementation deadline of October 1, 2013 raises some interesting questions. In order to have a smooth transition, coordination and communication is necessary between Medicare, Medicare contractors, commercial payers, and providers. Most importantly, the appropriate variables must be accounted for in the implementation timeline, including the question of whether Medicare and other payers will offer transaction testing services for providers to submit "practice" claims to determine if their systems can format claims properly. Also, it's vital for organizations to coordinate their 5010 transaction standard implementation efforts with their ICD-10 initiatives.

The ICD-10 implementation will be the most far-reaching change in U.S. health care to date. In an environment where data impacts the entire health care continuum, the coding system conversion will affect reimbursement, marketing, and research. Indeed, the October 1, 2013 deadline is fast approaching and all organizations need to start their plans immediately, if they are not already in progress. The sooner organizations can assess their strengths and limitations regarding ICD-10 implementation, the sooner that they can allocate the resources to streamline the transition to this long-awaited new code set.