Implementation timeline is set at Oct. 2014. Although this is pushed back from the original timeline, Mr. McDonald said it would benefit ASCs to begin preparing now.
The benefits of ICD-10 include better efficiency for measuring quality, designing payment systems, conducting research and clinical trials, setting health policy, monitoring resource utilization and more. Mr. McDonald said the introduction of ICD-10 will impact many ASC day-to-day operations, such as scheduling, coding and billing as well as state reports that include claims data.
There are a number of things ASCs can do to prepare for ICD-10:
1. Start anatomy and physiology training for coders.
2. Start training physicians on documentation.
3. Talk to your vendors about their transition plans.
4. Talk to commercial payors about their transition plans.
5. Make a contingency plan for workers’ compensation – especially if you are orthopedic-driven.
6. Follow the “day in the life” of a diagnosis code.
7. Determine which policies and procedures will be affected by ICD-10.
8. Consider outsourcing.
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