One of the things you're going to hear a lot in the next couple years is that ICD-10 is going to give healthcare providers much more data that they can use to improve patient care and efficiencies.
Hopefully we won't have to wait until Oct. 1, 2013, for some examples of how that's going to work. Thanks to Dan Fagin, Protiviti's managing director and the practice leader for the Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton and Kentucky markets, I can tell you about one such example.
First of all, Dan stressed this is his opinion. But healthcare reform - in whatever form it may take - is going to emphasize data.
"It's my belief those provider organizations that best collect, manage and use data around diagnoses and treatment at a very detailed level such that they can tailor and cater to specific needs of patients," said Fagin about who the providers who will see ICD-10 benefits.
What kind of benefits?
[See also: Top 3 understated aspects of ICD-10]
"[They] are wasting less, ordering fewer, unneeded tests," said Fagin. "[They are] able to use the detail that ICD-10 is going to require to their benefit to customize care and be more efficient as we move to more of an outcomes based model."
OK, physicians will be able to use the data to determine what kind of testing is really needed for patients. That should ease costs for payers and their payers. I wonder if that will be a benefit for all providers. Those unneeded tests are revenue for someone.
That's another question for probably another blog. For now I'm happy to have someone who can identify a benefit from more granular ICD-10 data.
How do you see ICD-10 data improving patient care and business practices in your medical practice?