CHICAGO—A majority of health organizations have started to begin work on planning and implementing the new ICD-10 code set, according to a survey from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
Click HERE to access a slideshow presentation of the survey.
Results of the survey, conducted in August, show 85 percent of respondents indicate they have begun work on ICD-10 planning and implementation, up from 62 percent reported a year ago; and well above the 55 percent reported 6 months before that, in April 2010. According to the most recent survey, organizations are also further along in creating ICD-10 budgets and assessing training needs for staff.
A smooth, successful transition by the Oct.1, 2013, compliance date requires a well-planned and well-managed ICD-10 implementation process, according to AHIMA. Because the scope and complexity of the transition are significant, it is critical for organizations to plan their implementation strategies carefully in order to leverage ICD-10 investments and move beyond mere compliance to attain a strategic advantage. Organizations that are not prepared could face major billing headaches and loss of compensation since claims submitted after the October 2013 deadline not using the upgraded coding language will be rejected.
While survey results show more organizations have at least started conducting impact analyses, much work remains to be done and more changes are needed as only 49 percent report having started making changes based on their assessments.
