Preparing your practice for ICD-10

J Med Pract Manage. 2013 Mar-Apr;28(5):303-5.

Abstract

In August 2012, the Department of Health and Human Services ruled that the ICD-10 implementation deadline would be postponed to October 1,2014. Even with this extended deadline, providers should begin preparing for the transition now. This article delivers advice to help providers with ICD-10, with suggestions such as identifying how different areas of your business could be impacted by ICD-10 and considering how to establish new processes to avoid reimbursement delays. Providers also should start training staff to familiarize them with ICD-10 codes, and collaborate with practice management system vendors to ensure they can handle ICD-10 claims. While the transition to ICD-10 will require significant preparation from providers and the rest of the industry, we will see real benefits once ICD-10 has been fully implemented, including better documentation of clinical data, greater consistency in reporting of public health trends, and reduced number of rejected claims due to coding inefficiencies.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • International Classification of Diseases*
  • Practice Management, Medical / organization & administration*
  • Reimbursement Mechanisms
  • United States
  • United States Dept. of Health and Human Services