AHIMA Files Comment Letter on ICD-10 Compliance
 

AHIMA recently filed a comment letter to Health and Human Services’ (HHS) leaders in response to a section of a proposed rule that addresses “Change to the Compliance Date for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Medical Data Code Sets.”

In its letter, AHIMA continues to recommend there be no delay in the ICD-10 compliance deadline. Since a delay is likely, AHIMA stated that the association will continue to work with HHS and the healthcare industry to ensure the delay is as short as possible, preferably not more than one year.

“ICD-9 is antiquated and no longer adequately meets the challenge of a 21st century healthcare system,” said AHIMA CEO Lynne Thomas Gordon, MBA, RHIA, FACHE.  “ICD-10 should be implemented in a timely manner, and AHIMA is ready to continue assisting the healthcare community to prepare for the transition. We also encourage advance testing of the ICD-10 codes to be sure there are no further delays in the implementation deadline.”

AHIMA and the HIM professionals who comprise its membership are well qualified to respond to the proposed rule. Many AHIMA members are on the front lines and work directly with the classification systems impacted by these rules and were involved in the development and maintenance of the existing code set and the development of ICD-10.

Classification systems are sometimes perceived only as billings and claims mechanisms and not recognized for the care and diagnosis information that can be synthesized and used for communicating issues of severity, quality, and provide better healthcare for the individual patient and the community. For instance, the ICD-10 codes significantly expand the ability to document and detail incidences of domestic violence. As a result, health officials can enhance detection and treatment and develop more proactive steps to prevent domestic violence.

“ICD-10 is the foundation for other critical national healthcare initiatives such as meaningful use, value-based purchasing, payment reform, quality reporting, and accountable care organizations,” said Dan Rode, AHIMA vice president for advocacy and policy, MBA, CHPS, FHFMA. “Without ICD-10, the value of these other efforts is greatly diminished.”

A delay of more than one year would cause additional confusion for colleges and universities as to what they should be teaching. Students already have been trained in ICD-10 and are forced to use ICD-9-CM when they enter the work force.

AHIMA also advocated in the letter that transitioning directly to ICD-11 is not a viable option as implementation would not occur until after 2020, even in a best case scenario. In addition, the structure for ICD-10-CM/PCS is designed to make current and future healthcare technology systems ready for an easy transition to ICD-11.

View the full text of AHIMA’s comment letter at http://ahima.org/advocacy/comments.aspx.

Source: AHIMA