February 17, 2012
Background
The transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCS comes with various unknowns such as quality of coded data, reimbursement rates, and interoperability. Published in January 2009, the HIPAA regulation that required this transition to occur must be implemented within a healthcare environment that has become exponentially integrated; one in which it is difficult to detach and define distinct components.
For those providers who have not yet begun on the transition path, they must start today and work through a highly-condensed project to meet the October, 2013 deadline. While little time remains for successful engagement and deployment of the necessary resources, it can be done.
Purpose
HIMSS and AHIMA have partnered to develop a condensed critical pathway with steps needed to guide providers through the process and phases of the implementation. If work is undertaken immediately, components such as budget, system testing, assessments, and evaluation can be addressed so providers can focus on the vital imperatives for a successful go-live with ICD-10-CM/PCS.
The HIMSS-AHIMA condensed timeline provides the phases that must be addressed in order to make a successful transition and describes what the people, process, and technology impacts will be.
Project Assumptions
Defining assumptions for this initiative helps to clarify concepts behind the implementation plan and bring to consensus what may be considered true or untrue within a project. Key assumptions for an ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation are the following:
- The phases highlighted within the condensed timeline must be run in parallel and closely coordinated. As of February 2012, there is no opportunity to tackle the phases sequentially.
- Close cooperation must be achieved with vendors and health plans: this work must be completed in partnership.
- The compliance date does not mean the effort is complete. There will still be much effort required to support testing of the people, process, and technology impacts, as well as the need for parallel coding.
ICD-10 Critical Pathway for Getting Started : 2012 and Beyond [matrix]
For more information on ICD-10 implementation, please visit HIMSS and AHIMA's websites.
About HIMSS
HIMSS is a cause-based, not-for-profit organization exclusively focused on providing global leadership for the optimal use of information technology (IT) and management systems for the betterment of healthcare. Founded 51 years ago, HIMSS and its related organizations are headquartered in Chicago with additional offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. HIMSS represents more than 44,000 individual members, of which more than two thirds work in healthcare provider, governmental and not-for-profit organizations. HIMSS also includes over 570 corporate members and more than 170 not-for-profit organizations that share our mission of transforming healthcare through the effective use of information technology and management systems. HIMSS frames and leads healthcare practices and public policy through its content expertise, professional development, research initiatives, and media vehicles designed to promote information and management systems’ contributions to improving the quality, safety, access, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. To learn more about HIMSS and to find out how to join us and our members in advancing our cause, please visit our website at www.himss.org.
About AHIMA
The American Health Information Management Association is America’s leading professional society whose mission is to “improve healthcare by advancing best practices and standards for health information management and [serve as] the trusted source for education, research and professional credentialing.” AHIMA represents more than 64,000 specially educated HIM professionals who serve healthcare and the public by managing, analyzing and utilizing data vital for health system management. www.ahima.org
© 2012 Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) & American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)