SOUND OFF!  Are you ready for ICD-10?

On October 1, 2014, implementation of ICD-10 will commence.  The transition from ICD-9 set of diagnosis codes and inpatient procedures to a more contemporary ICD-10 code set will impact anyone who uses health care information and is covered by the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA).

In order to prepare for the implementation of ICD-10 many organizations have found the following tips helpful in ensuring their practice is up and running to support the new health reform change.

  • Impact Assessment:  Complete an impact assessment to determine all areas and departments affected by the ICD-10 transition.  This will allow your organization to examine processes and identify deficiencies.
  • Gap Analysis:  A gap analysis identifies the impacts of the ICD-10 transition, as well as key areas such as strengths, weaknesses, goals, opportunities, and obstacles.
  • Budget:  Create, review, and update a budget as necessary.  The budget should include
  • Information systems
  • Auditing and monitoring
  • Staffing and overtime
  • Education and Training:  Everyone in the medical practice will require both. 
  • Vendors:  communication with vendors concerning their transition plans will be key to a successful implementation. 
  • Payors:  Talk with your payors concerning their transition plans.  Ask what changes will be taking place regarding policy, contracts, and testing.

Following is an ICD-10 Implementation Guide which will provide you with planning and analysis, design, development, testing, and implementation.  To learn more, please visit the CMS ICD-10 website.

ICD-10 Implementation Guide

For your convenience you can find the AAPC Conversion Tools for ICD-9 to ICD-10 on the Clinic Service website.

Just click here:  ICD-9 and ICD-10 Translator Tools.

You will also find additional ICD-10 transition guides and resources located on this page. 

 

ICD-10 Code Search and Crosswalk Resources.

Reference Sources: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/