Here are five steps to take for a thoughtfully planned and communicated transition.
1. Seek resources. CMS, as well as several professional membership organizations, has information and resources which can be helpful during the transition process.
2. Establish an ICD-10 project team. Your prep team will be responsible for spearheading the transition. Larger practices should have representatives from all departments, whereas smaller practices may only require one or two individuals to make the switch happen.
3. Develop a communication and awareness plan. This plan will map out how and when communications will take place amongst your internal staff and with external vendors and partners.
4. Revisit your implementation timeline. Many practices may still have an ICD-10 timeline for the originally proposed implementation date, so make sure to revisit your plans and prepare for an Oct. 1, 2014 start date.
5. Share your implementation plans and timeline. A properly coordinated transition will include all involved personnel and partners being kept aware of transition activities and deadlines.
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