ICD-10 in Focus: Ready or not, here it comes….

So are you ready?  Sitting back and looking forward to the change?  Worried that you’re just getting started? 

It seems like now all those who are managing the conversion are having a gut check moment. 

• Are we going to meet the deadline (Oct. 1, 2013) or not?  
• Are we ready for the effects of the change-over? 

As with any change management opportunity, there are many answers on best practices, and lots more questions on how to integrate those practices into our day-to-day.

In August, at the HIMSS Virtual Briefing “Critical Factors of the ICD-10 Conversion,” industry experts focused on the background of ICD-10, ICD-10 implementation planning and the failure of a lack of it, and strategies to find vendor partners to help with the process.  Missed the Briefing?  You can now access the session recordings in the eLearning Academy.

In October, we’re going to focus on a different perspective. “Minimizing Risk and Exposure during the ICD-10 Conversion: Lessons from the Trenches” will take place live on Wednesday, Oct. 12.   Here’s a preview of the education at the Virtual Briefing. And you can register for the event here. 

Prepare Your Staff: Planning for the ICD-10 Implementation Medical Coder Shortage   

The implementation of the ICD-10 conversion in your organization will affect the daily activities of many of your organization’s employees.  No groups of employees will be affected more than your medical coders.  The potential for risk with the conversion is only increased by the continuing industry-wide shortage of certified medical coders.  This session will explore the work force issue, discuss the psychological and demographic profile of medical coders and identify practical ways to minimize work force shortage and its potential risks in light of your organization’s ICD-10 conversion.

Engage Your Bottom Line: Understanding the Financial Implications of ICD-10

The conversion to ICD-10 is going to have wide-ranging financial implications on all types of healthcare provider organizations, health systems large and small, ambulatory facilities like physician practices, and more.  Your organization needs to be prepared to effectively incorporate your ICD-10 implementation into your budgeting process, understand how it is going to affect your cash reserves, identify worst case scenarios and explore how to avoid them.  This session will give you an overview of the financial implications for the ICD-10 conversion, tools and resources to aid you in your budgeting process, and identify best practices to ensure a smooth transition for not only your staff, but your bottom line as well.               

Educate Your Providers: Mitigating Risk of Fraud, Waste and Abuse through Effective Training

Sometimes unintentional, sometimes not, these are risks your organization faces when submitting a claim for payment.  What are the implications of these risks for your organization and how does the ICD-10 conversion apply to those risks? 

This session will explore the implications of fraud, waste and abuse on your organization, discuss the role of CMS’s RAC audits in the effort to challenge overpayments, and offer a range of practical strategies to effectively assist providers in avoiding these potential risks.

On a lighter note, big props to Find a Code’s ICD-10 videos on YouTube.  Proof that healthcare regulations, free time, and a YouTube channel are a dangerous combination.

And…share your progress on ICD-10 conversation with me here on the HIMSS Blog.