It’s 2014, and the transition to ICD-10 is less than just a few months away, taking effect on October 1^st. This will replace the old system of diagnostic coding and significantly increase the number of these codes from the current 14,000 to around 69,000. ICD-10 will enable physicians to better specify diagnoses, track follow up visits, code accurately, support future technology, support new payment models, improve interoperability and manage quality.

In addition, business-process analysis of health plans, coverage limits, documentation, changes in superbills, system changes, cash flow disruption, staff education and increase in cost of documentation, also add to the complexity that ICD-10 will bring.

The switch to ICD-10 will also be expensive. Research suggests ICD-10 changeover to cost up to $1.5 billion in the next 10 years, while savings resulting from this change will exceed $7.5 billion. On average, a mid-sized practice will have to spend nearly $300,000 in ICD-10 adaptation costs, while for larger practices, this cost may go up to $3 million.

ICD-10 comes into effect after ten months, but practices should start their preparation now. They must know how to use the new codes to avoid claim rejections. With most practices having implemented Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems, this means that their EHR vendor must demonstrate their compliance with ICD-10.

Questions to check if your practice is ready for ICD-10:

• Is your EHR vendor ready?
• Is there a plan for your staff’s training?
• Will your medical billers need re-certification?
• Do you know which ICD-9 claim codes are changing in ICD-10?
• Do you have a coding error checklist?

Providers must understand that the shift to ICD-10 is so complex, that without coordination, it will not be successful. It is important that health IT vendors work with you to incorporate, and prepare your practice for the upcoming changes.

You must know the extent of your vendor contracts, along with their plans and timelines. They should be able to tell you how ICD-9 and ICD-10 will work simultaneously. Also, ask them what the implementation process includes and if there is any additional training cost involved? You must also check if you will need to upgrade your infrastructure?

In addition, you should also know which of your vendors will be affected by ICD-10 and whether or not any existing interfaces require upgrades? There may be some fees involved in the shift to ICD-10, so make sure you ask your vendor about it. Previous visit data with ICD-9 (before October 1^st), may need to be carried forward to ICD-10 (after October 1^st), so ask your vendor how the system will handle this? Check with your billing vendor on sending test claims before the cutoff date, or shift to the new system ahead of time.

To summarize, the transition to ICD-10 can be easier, if your EHR vendor is ready and willing to provide support.