ICD-10 transition can be challenging for providers, but a medical billing and coding company can provide the necessary support for a smooth shift.

1. Are Healthcare Providers Ready for
the Transition to ICD-10?
ICD-10 transition can be
challenging for providers,
but a medical billing and
coding company can
provide the necessary
support for a smooth
shift.
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2. The International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9) has been in use
for more than 35 years in the United States. But now the transition to ICD-10
medical coding is mandatory from October 1. The new codes are much more
helpful in tracking public health condition, ensuring quality of care and also
preventing healthcare fraud and abuse. This massive overhaul of the national
coding system will be the most significant change to the U.S healthcare sector in
decades.
 The new set of codes will help healthcare providers to share health and disease
data among most of the developed countries around the world effectively. It
assures better alignment with the international standards.
 ICD-10 codes are developed to assist with physician reimbursement. They use
standardized and improved definition that helps to provide accurate details
about the patient’s condition, thereby preventing possible claim delays and
denials and ensuring timely payments for services.
ICD-10 accommodates 69,000 codes whereas ICD-9 has only 14,000. The
transition to ICD-10 is compulsory for healthcare providers though they face many
challenges in its actual implementation. However, the change is worthwhile as it
has the following benefits:
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3. In spite of the advantages in implementing ICD-10, there are some challenges
involved. Here are some major considerations:
 ICD-10 is much more advanced than ICD-9 and so it requires more
technological upgradation and system replacement in electronic health record,
revenue cycle management and in other business and analytical systems.
 With the implementation of ICD-10 there may be productivity loss initially. This
is because it requires increased amount of time in management, medical
billing and coding, case management and obtaining reimbursement. In
Canada, implementation data shows that there was a loss of 50-70 percent in
productivity initially which gradually reduced to 20 percent in the first 12
months.
 In the beginning stages of transition there may be delay or denial of claims or
slower reimbursement due to wrong coding. With time, healthcare providers
and others staffs will gain experience in using ICD-10 and other updated billing
software that will reduce miscoded claims and facilitate quick reimbursement.
 Since more detailed information can be provided about the patient’s current
health condition and medical history, ICD-10 codes ensure accurate and
consistent treatment and also improved quality of care.
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4.  The transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 will require a new software vendor. The
current software vendor may be unable to satisfy the needs of administrative
and claim reimbursement services. A new software vendor can help in a smooth
transition to ICD-10 codes.
 There may be reduced cash flow while implementing ICD-10. This is because
capital investments are required for training the staff about the new coding
system, upgrading software and so on. This may lead to reduced cash flow
which can have an impact on healthy organizations, but they will pick up as time
goes by.
Implementation of ICD-10 requires careful planning and preparation. Choosing a
reliable medical billing and coding company can help to overcome many of these
issues. Outsourcing ICD-10 coding to these service providers is advisable because
they have already transitioned to ICD-10 and have become experts in using the
new system. In addition, they have proficiency in coding. Partnering with a reliable
healthcare business process outsourcing company is a practical option for providers
looking for a quick and flawless implementation of ICD-10 and consistent revenue
flow.
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