GeBBS Healthcare Blog

There have been numerous delays to the implementation of ICD-10. These delays have caused untold frustration, -- but they have also created opportunities for healthcare providers and the organization that serve the healthcare industry. You now have time to readjust your ICD-10 timeline preparations. As an HIM Director for many years, I am offering a plan of action that may help you be prepared for the October 2015 deadline.

Do you have a "physician champion"? You should. A physician champion who will support your clinical documentation improvement (CDI) program and communicate the importance of an

The switch to ICD-10 is delayed, but not abated. With the new implementation date of October 1, 2015 will your organization be ready for the best possible transition? The best place to start is by analyzing your clinical documentation improvement (CDI) program to determine the quality of documentation. Consider using you coder and case managers to identify educational opportunities for physicians and areas for improvement. Specifically, enlist the assistance of your case managers to focus on documentation trends across the board, and work with physicians who are your largest admitters.

Now that the transition date for ICD-10 has been finalized – again! Don’t let concerns about severe reductions, or even the complete stoppage of your revenue stream caused by potential ICD-10 coding errors and slowdowns in your coding productivity keep you awake at night.

For all the negative press ICD-10 has gotten over the past few years, it has the potential to have a tremendously positive impact on the quality of patient care. The new system will require more accurate clinical documentation, increase the amount of data collected, improve quality measurements, streamline claims processing, and ultimately improve the quality of care provided to patients.

The delay in ICD-10 adoption has left industry leaders in a land of uncertainty. It is now a month later and the health care circuit remains abuzz with the billion dollar question:

Healthcare billing service companies provide vital services to the medical industry; both hospitals and physician groups need their critical services. However, these billing service companies often experience their own operational pains in the form of ever-changing governmental regulations that make medical billing confusing and complicated. Other reimbursement mandates and collection regulations exacerbate the problems medical billing companies face.

This is a first in a series blogs that we believe presents an excellent strategic approach for achieving every healthcare provider’s end-goal during the transition to ICD-10 -- ensuring there is NO reduction or stoppage of their revenue stream. Our mission is to see a stronger U.S. healthcare delivery system come out of this momentous transition.

There is an upside to this second delay for ICD-10; we should use this time wisely! There will now be NO excuse for not being prepared in October 2015. This additional window of time presents an opportunity for U.S. healthcare providers to spend this period preparing for the significant impact that ICD-10 will bring. Many healthcare facilities were dreading the October 2014 implementation date; however, there is now time to prepare for the monumental changes this sweeping reform will precipitate.

Thank you, Yogi; it’s happened again – Another ICD-10 Delay