We’re a little over 9 months away from the October 2014 ICD-10 deadline. So if your practice isn’t crafting a transition strategy, it’s probably time to crack open a blank notebook and roll up those sleeves.
But if you remember your college term papers, getting started is among the largest challenges involved with any long-term project. In this case, colleagues can provide guidance, so ask around and see if anyone has a heads up on the deadline. Those early birds may hold the keys to a painless transition.
You may even find you’re being left behind. A recent HRAA survey of more than 120 hospitals found that only 31% of providers aren’t planning to dual code prior to October 1. These gals and guys know the dilemmas that dual coding can bring, so if ICD-10 is an early New Year’s resolution at your practice, read ahead to why they’re doing it and the kinds of roadblocks they’re currently or will soon be encountering.
Why the early ICD-10 transition?
Work out issues – Claims coded using ICD-10 won’t be accepted until much later, but early implementation allows your staff to learn from their mistakes.
Identify workflow changes – Early implementation helps you spot the kinds of workflow alternations you’ll need to make come October. For example, you could decide to assign staff members towards coding-related tasks before the transition, in areas that may require more care.
Data mining – Dual coding means double the data, which could be compared to forecast future issues and assess coder productivity.
Future efficiency – If you can pull off double coding now, ICD-10 will be a breeze come late 2014 and beyond. Your staff could be a little frustrated in the interim, but they’ll thank you once the holidays hit.
Helpful health IT – Some health IT billing solutions map ICD-10 codes back to ICD-19 for you, which helps ease your practice’s transition.
Early-Switch ICD-10 Challenges
Double the work – This is the most obvious of early-switch hardships. This may hinder your coders’ ability to remain efficient until October.
Staff resistance – Although an early transition sounds beautiful if you focus on life after October 1, your staff may not like the possibility of increased workloads. Consider offering additional incentives and make the benefits of an early transition crystal clear.
Other constraints – Dual coding places additional demands on your budget, staff, and workflow. Strike a balance between both systems to remain productive and profitable.
