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/