Part of their approach should include these six important steps, says Robert Tennant, senior policy advisor for government affairs at Medical Group Management Association, in an interview with Diagnostic Imaging.
1. Figure out what software will be impacted.
“It’s not just the practice management software, but the EHR systems, too. Anything using codes.”
2. Put together a list of very specific questions for your vendor.
“Make a list of very specific questions and send them in the form of a certified letter.”
3. Find out if you will need new hardware.
4. Ask if your vendor will support both ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets for some period.
“It’s possible that October could bring a rolling date,” said Mr. Tennant, “and in any case, workers’ compensation claims won’t use the new code set.”
5. Have a contingency plan.
6. Be sure to find out the absolute bottom line cost.
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