By Rick Collins
My thanks to those who have written in with questions and comments since our last column. Let’s jump right in with your renal-related billing questions and some information of general interest to renal billers and those in management.
Q. I keep getting mixed messages regarding ICD-10. Some people are saying I need to work like crazy right now to get ready, while others are telling me it will likely be delayed again. I don’t want to spend a lot of time and money getting ready for something if it isn’t going to happen for a long time or at all. What do you think?
A. I understand your confusion because I read a lot of articles on an ongoing basis from many sources and writers have all kinds of opinions as to why they think ICD-10 will or won’t happen. My personal take is that ICD-10 is going to be implemented and that its impact on reimbursement will be severely disruptive.
However, when it occurs is still unclear. I’m sure you know that the current implementation date is Oct. 1, 2013, but in April, HHS released a proposed rule that would delay it until Oct. 1, 2014.
To read more about ICD-10 preparation, check out the August RBT Digital Issue.
