CMS is encouraging all ASCs and hospitals to begin prepping for the ICD-10 transition, though the final implementation deadline is expected to be in late 2014.
Here are five of their suggestions for assessing the impact the switch will have on your company:
1. Documentation changes. The ICD-10 codes will be considerably more specific than the ICD-9 codes. To ensure patient encounters are correctly documented, prepare and train your staff to handle to code set changes. Evaluate your physician workflow and patients volume changes, revise all forms to reflect the new standards and evaluate how this will effect health plans.
2. Reimbursement structures. Work with everyone who handles contract negotiations to make sure policies follow the new code sets because reimbursement schedules will be affected.
3. Systems and vendor contracts. Make sure your vendors can accommodate ICD-10 needs. Review your existing contracts, and find out how your vendors plan to update your systems.
4. Business practices. Determine how the news codes will impact your patient intake, physician orders and patient encounters.
5. Testing. Determine how much time you will need for testing and schedule accordingly.
More Articles on ICD-10:
Surgery Center Coding Guidance: Lower Extremity Arthroscopy Procedures
8 Steps for Small Surgery Centers to Make the ICD-10 Transition
7 Core Concepts to Leverage ASC Data in Payor Negotiations
Here are five of their suggestions for assessing the impact the switch will have on your company:
1. Documentation changes. The ICD-10 codes will be considerably more specific than the ICD-9 codes. To ensure patient encounters are correctly documented, prepare and train your staff to handle to code set changes. Evaluate your physician workflow and patients volume changes, revise all forms to reflect the new standards and evaluate how this will effect health plans.
2. Reimbursement structures. Work with everyone who handles contract negotiations to make sure policies follow the new code sets because reimbursement schedules will be affected.
3. Systems and vendor contracts. Make sure your vendors can accommodate ICD-10 needs. Review your existing contracts, and find out how your vendors plan to update your systems.
4. Business practices. Determine how the news codes will impact your patient intake, physician orders and patient encounters.
5. Testing. Determine how much time you will need for testing and schedule accordingly.
More Articles on ICD-10:
Surgery Center Coding Guidance: Lower Extremity Arthroscopy Procedures
8 Steps for Small Surgery Centers to Make the ICD-10 Transition
7 Core Concepts to Leverage ASC Data in Payor Negotiations