ICD-10: How is your practice handling the transition?


A blue door with two small holes in it.It’s been a few weeks since the launch of ICD-10 and there have been a number of stories written about some of the challenges that healthcare providers are facing and how the new billing codes are having an impact on their practices and patient care.

Although still early in its implementation, it appears those who prepared are faring well, but frustrations remain.

For example, Revcycle Intelligence reports that “technical difficulties, coding snafus, and payment snags†may be diverting physicians’ focus away from patient care.

A report by SERMO, a social network exclusively for doctors, also found 86 percent of physicians saying that the transition has taken their time from patient care.

As with anything new, there are sure to be glitches. The unknown right now is just how quickly claims will be processed and payments made. That information likely won’t be known for another month or so.

For now, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and even some major health insurers are giving providers a little leeway. Health Data Management reports the Humana and UnitedHealthcare have said they will be lenient when it comes to specificity of codes.

And, as we noted earlier this year, CMS said that is giving providers a grace period and it will not deny claims made under the Part B physician fee schedule if there are coding errors.

For now, providers need to focus on making sure they are doing what they can to ensure continued success. For example, it is imperative to maintain lines of communications between your coders and CDI specialist. These are the folks whose job is to ensure that the most accurate information is presented.

Dig deeper and figure out why claim denials are taking place and determine what you can do to prevent it from happening in the future.

If you are encountering difficulties with the ICD-10 transition, The Health Law Offices of Anthony C. Vitale can assist you with ICD-10 training to make sure your practice is prepared. Contact us for additional information.

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