Embrace The ICD-10 Transition With Confidence

By Mary Jean Sage, president and founder, The Sage Associates

The deadline for implementing ICD-10 is quickly approaching. Providers and practices should be preparing for the transition and approaching the implementation with confidence. Even though on July 6, 2015, CMS announced a one year grace period  for ICD-10, it did not delay the implementation. Effective October 1, 2015, a valid ICD-10 code from the correct family will still be required on all claims. These 10 steps will help you prepare successfully for the transition.

While it may seem overwhelming, it is possible to smoothly make this transition by following the following 10 steps.

1. Understand ICD-10
   Review the major differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10 and how those differences will affect a clinician’s specialty as well as your organization as a whole. Reviewing the “Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting” for ICD-10 is a good starting point.

2. Create Your Internal Implementation And Communication Team
   Include staff from administrative and clinical sides of your practice and divide up the work that needs to be accomplished. Make sure you communicate the changes required by ICD-10 both from a workflow standpoint as well as clinical documentation.

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