Getting ready now means faster payments later
On October 1, 2013, medical coding in U.S. health care settings will change from ICD-9 to ICD-10. The transition will require business and systems changes throughout the health care industry. Everyone who is covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) must make the transition, not just those who submit Medicare or Medicaid claims.
October 1, 2013 may seem far off in the distance however the first ICD-10-related compliance date is less than a year away. On January 1, 2012, standards for electronic health transactions change from Version 4010/4010A1 to Version 5010. Unlike Version 4010, Version 5010 accommodates the ICD-10 code structure.
Steps you should take:
- Identify your current systems and work processes that use ICD-9 codes. Where ever you see ICD-9 codes now ICD-10 will take their place.
- Discuss implementation plans with all your clearinghouses, billing services, and payers to ensure a smooth transition. Be proactive, don’t wait. Contact your payers, clearinghouse, billing service with whom you conduct business, ask about their plans for the Version 5010 and ICD-10 compliance, and when they will be ready to test their systems for both transitions.
- Assess your staffs training need and any and all cost associated with making the switch (i.e. any necessary software updates, reprinting of superbills, training and related expenses)
For a more complete listing of steps to take and other ICD-10 resources head over to the CMS website.
Need help with this or any other aspect of running a profitable efficient and caring practice?
We would love to help! Click on our button to request a demo of our software and have a conversation about what we can do for you or drop us a quick reply below!
[…] Version 5010 also accommodates the ICD-10 code structure which we discussed in an earlier post. […]