Despite the delay in implementation, ICD-10 is still coming, said Dr. Meakem. “Only the deadline has changed,” he said. “They’re going to make the change. It’s just a matter of when it’s going to happen.”
Orthopedic surgeons and facilities will undergo one of the largest transformations in terms of ICD-10, as the orthopedic section has the largest expansion of section of codes than any other specialty, Dr. Meakem said.
Dr. Meakem said automation can be a key tool in making the ICD-10 transition. He suggested looking for an automation tool that has deep medical content, automatically maintains information and updates itself, generates codes based on physician dictations and integrates with workflow.
“The combination of the increasing pressures from the big gorilla of ICD-10 and the gradual strangling that comes along with it, those pressures are increasing,” Dr. Meakem said. “But technology has also gotten a lot better. The combination of those things make it worthwhile to take another look.”
More Articles on ICD-10:
What Final Steps Should ASCs Take to Prepare for ICD-10?
5 Ways for Orthopedic Groups to Prepare for Coding Changes
4 CMS Updates on ICD-10
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