If you are like me, overwhelmed with keeping up with the new guidelines and regulations and trying to keep a business profitable, chances are that you have not had time to look too close at ICD-10. So for one second let’s forget about meaningful use, healthcare reform, audits and compliance and look into ICD-10.
Recently the American Health Information Management Association completed a survey that came up with the following results:
- Over 50% of hospitals surveyed were still in the beginning phases of ICD-10 migration in fall of 2012.
- 25% had not even formed an ICD-10 steering committee, one of the first steps of implementation.
- 83% of facilities had no plans underway
- 20% of small and mid-sized hospitals have not started any education or training
ICD-10 is not going to be easy or inexpensive. As a matter of fact, while some professionals may consider that ICD-10 is simply a change in coding the reality is far from the truth. So rather than going thru an extensive explanation, which I will cover in a presentation in the future, let’s get into the recommendation phase:
- Conduct and internal audit to identify coding practices;
- Start training staff into implementation steps and potential changes;
- GET A LINE OF CREDIT;
- Consider outsourcing your coding efforts;
- Look for assistance in the implementation process.
Just like many others I’m hoping for another extension, however I will follow one of my mottos:
“Hope for the best but plan for the worst.”