Posted on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 10:14 AM
ICD-10 implementation is only a few months away, meaning providers must comply with ICD-10 regulations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). NAHC is encouraging home health and hospice agencies that have not begun preparation to begin now. October 1 will be here sooner than you think. NAHC encourages agencies to assign a team responsible for ICD-10 preparations. Depending on your agency size, this could be one or several individuals who can coordinate efforts to aid in improving preparedness. Agencies must then conduct a gap analysis which allows the agency to understand where they are and what they need to do to reach their goal. During the gap analysis, it’s important for agencies to examine the processes for all departments to make sure every department is up to the task. NAHC also encourages agencies to do the following to prepare:
- Understand ICD-10 coding to ensure the most accurate code has been selected
- Make sure staff is trained to ensure their documentation accurately reflects information related to diagnoses to allow for ICD-10 specificity
- Relay clinical documentation to code accurately
- Develop a dual coding system to match how the current ICD-9 codes will translate into ICD-10
- Ensure your software vendors are ready
- Outsource coding – another good option, according to NAHC
Click here to read more from NAHC. Click here to read the Corridor whitepaper on best practices as we transition to ICD-10. Corridor’s team of ICD-10 experts are here to help. Contact us at 866-263-3795 or info@corridorgroup.com.
About Corridor
Corridor is the nation’s preferred partner and trusted business advisor to home health and hospice providers, providing quality services and impactful results for 30 years. Focusing on key operational, regulatory and financial challenges, Corridor delivering industry-unique solutions and deep expertise in coding, clinical documentation review, compliance, billing and collections , consulting and provider staff education . At Corridor, we make the business of caring for people Better! For the most important industry updates and news that impacts home health and hospice, please make sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive the latest up-to-date industry information direct to your inbox!
For additional information, please contact Corridor at 1-866-263-3795.
