DENVER, CO – The top five ICD-10 challenges identified in a user survey conducted by data management firm PatientKeeper are:
1. Resourcing the transition: The ICD-10 transition will require significant investment of time and money toensure that all systems that use and record diagnosis data are updated to comply.
2. Training: The amount of time trainees can devote to learning the ins and outs of ICD-10 is a concern, as well as the expertise of the trainers. One of the more daunting issues is the depth of training needed.
3. Maintaining two coding systems: Private payers, such as worker’s compensation plans, are not required to change to ICD-10. Therefore, providers could have to maintain both coding systems, depending on payers’ strategies.
4. Sustaining momentum: Most physician incentive programs use reporting based on CPT and ICD-9 codes. To continue correct submission, systems collecting data for incentive programs need to support ICD-10.
5. Avoiding payment delays: Training physicians to code accurately, making sure that codes are entered correctly in billing systems and depending on payers to efficiently review claims under ICD-10 are all likely to lead to delays in payment.