ICD-10: Reminders for Medical Providers & Call for Implementation Cost Data

There are two dates you need to be mindful of, if you have a medical practice. 

• January 1, 2012 is the date set for full compliance with Version 5010 standards, if you conduct electronic transactions either directly, through a clearing house or billing service.
• October 1, 2013 is the drop dead date for full implementation of ICD-10 code sets.

These dates are not going to be extended, and the transition is definite.  If your practice submits electronic claims, you must have completed an internal testing of Version 5010 in time to begin external testing with your business partners (payers/health plans, clearinghouses, billing services, etc.) by January 1, 2011.

It is critical that you take steps now to prepare for these changes that could impact your payment and bottom line.  Vendors should be able to provide details about what you need to do to comply with Version 5010 standards (a replacement for Version 4010/4010A currently used for electronic transactions).  Unlike Version 4010, Version 5010 accommodates the ICD-10 code sets that become effective in 2013.

HIMSS will be offering an educational platform on ICD-10 implementation and hopefully, its costs.  Although we have limited data for cost of implementation, we are hopeful that organizations with data, either actual or estimates, will share this information with us at HIMSS Business-Centered Systems so that we can help providers better plan for this financial investment.  Current data to-date have a wide range of discrepancy, and we would like more information from those who have already begun the implementation process.

If you are willing to share your data, please contact Juliet Santos, Sr. Director of HIMSS Business-Centered Systems @ jasantos@himss.org.