New IBM Report Explains What is Needed for ICD-10 Adoption by 2012
WASHINGTON, May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- America's Health Insurance Plans'
(AHIP) President and CEO Karen Ignagni today issued the following statement
on the ongoing discussions in Congress regarding improvements to health
information technology through the adoption of International Classification
of Diseases (ICD)-10 code sets for identifying medical diagnoses and
procedures:
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040830/AHIPLOGO )
"AHIP member companies share the goal of using health information
technology to streamline the health care system and improve the quality of
care being provided to millions of Americans. AHIP members are fully
committed to the adoption of the new ICD-10 codes sets as an integral step
towards achieving this goal.
"However, this massive effort of moving from 24,000 to 207,000 codes
calls for all health care stakeholders to completely rework operations for
claims processing, provider contracting, medical management, quality
reporting, information technology, disease management, and other business
and health care activities. Planning for an adequate implementation period
will help provide a smooth transition to the new codes by allowing for
pilot testing that will help minimize unintended consequences for
consumers, physicians and other providers without unnecessarily increasing
administrative costs.
"Before this implementation period can begin, the nation first must
adopt the new version of the HIPAA electronic transaction standards (ANSI
X12 v.5010), which will require at least two years. The 5010 transition is
an essential first step in achieving the goals of any legislation which
seeks to transform health information technology.
"We hope Congress will carefully consider what is necessary to convert
legislative mandates into real world realities and set a realistic timeline
for implementation of ICD-10 codes. Given the magnitude of this
undertaking, we believe that adoption of these codes should begin in 2012
as recommended by a new study from the Global Business Practice of IBM.
This timeframe allows for a three-year period for implementing the ICD-10
code sets.
"Additionally, taking the time to resolve implementation issues
necessary to make the ICD-10 transition work will not impede any of the
efforts currently under way to improve quality and transparency in the
health care system, since these activities work off the current code sets."
To view the complete report click on:
http://www.ahip.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=16508&linkid=141837.
America's Health Insurance Plans -- Providing Health Benefits
to More Than 200 Million Americans
SOURCE America's Health Insurance Plans
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Related links:
http://www.ahip.org/
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CONTACT:
Mohit Ghose of America's Health Insurance
Plans, +1-202-778-8494
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