ICD-10 readiness for IBC-participating facilities

IBC is keeping providers informed about our transition to the new ICD-10 code sets and is actively looking to obtain feedback from facilities and providers about their plans to comply with the mandate.

On October 5 and October 11, 2011, IBC hosted focus groups to discuss the ICD-10 transition. ICD-10 representatives from IBC-participating facilities were invited to participate in a lunchtime discussion where they shared their plans and challenges while preparing for the transition. There were a number of common challenges discussed among the focus group attendees that each facility is facing while preparing for the transition to the new code sets. A few of those challenges include:

• assessment and implementation of staff resources needed for various ICD-10 work streams;
• assessment of the financial impact involved with upgrading systems and processes;
• physician education and adoption of increased specificity for clinical documentation;
• coder retention, training, and certification in ICD-10.

For more information about the ICD-10 transition and helpful provider tools, please read the complete article in the December edition of Partners in Health Update^SM.