News: HHS sets ICD-10 implementation date at October 2014
August 30, 2012
CDI Strategies - Volume 6, Issue 18
HHS will delay implementation of ICD-10 by one year, from October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014. HHS announced the delay August 24 as part of the Administrative Simplification: Adoption of a Standard for a Unique Health Plan Identifier; Addition to the National Provider Identifier Requirements; and a Change to the Compliance Date for the International Classification of Diseases, 10thEdition (ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS) Medical Data Code Sets final rule.
“I am thrilled it was not postponed past October 1, 2014,” says Shannon McCall, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPC, CPC-I, CEMC, CCDS, Director of HIM and Coding for HCPro, Inc, in Danvers, Mass. “I think the sooner we can adopt this more robust classification system the closer we will be to enhancing the data capture of coded information in the U.S.”
In an August 27, audio conference Mastering Physician Queries: Tools for effective policies, practices, and ICD-10 preparation, 46% of participants indicated they had not received any ICD-10 related training and none of the participants indicated that they were currently querying physicians for additional specificity needed for ICD-10 coding.
The survey indicated room for educational opportunities, according to speaker Mary H. Stanfill, MBI, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, vice president of HIM Consulting Services for United Audit Systems, Inc., in Cincinnati.
“That’s roughly a 50/50 split, in terms of where people are with their ICD-10 efforts,” Stanfill said. “Now that CMS has verified the implementation date, there is an opportunity to increase education efforts for everyone.”
At this juncture, CDI program leadership should reassess training needs and determine how CDI priorities will shift under ICD-10, said Cheryl Ericson, MS, RN, CCDS, CDIP, CDI Education Director at HCPro, Inc., in Danvers, Mass.
“We know that there will be an increase in the coders’ workload. How will you disseminate responsibilities and how will you meet those needs? Those types of decisions need to be made now to determine staffing and to set the course for your CDI program’s future,” Ericson said.
A display copy of the final rule is available at the link above. It is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on September 5.