Since the start of ICD-10 in October 2015, healthcare coding productivity and accuracy has fallen, based on an American Health Information Management Association Foundation survey, according to RevCycle Intelligence.
Here are eight observations:
1. Since ICD-10 implementation, overall coding productivity has decreased 14.15 percent.
2. The report noted a 0.65 percent fall in overall coding accuracy following ICD-10 implementation.
3. Sixty-eight percent of survey respondents noted a productivity decrease, 5.8 percent reported a productivity increase and 26.3 percent reported stable productivity.
4. Of survey respondents, 61.5 percent noted no change in accuracy, 30 percent reported a decrease in accuracy and 26.9 percent noted an increase in accuracy.
5. Those organizations with computer coding programs saw a 5.18 percent greater decrease in coding productivity compared to those without the computer programs.
6. In contrast, organizations with computer coding programs reported a 0.1 percent accuracy increase compared to those without computer programs, noting a 1.58 percent accuracy decrease.
7. The report noted a fall in coding productivity and accuracy was anticipated because of unfamiliarity with the new coding system. Researchers don't believe the decrease will be long term.
8. In October 2016, CMS will add 5,500 new codes and make various updates to the ICD-10 system.