2 Tips From CMS for a Smooth ICD-10 Transition

The deadline for ICD-10 implementation is nearly two years away, and providers and payors need to communicate to help smooth the transition, according to The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Here are two tips for helping the transition.

1. Engage in open dialogue. Once a team or person has been designated to oversee the transition, inform organizations you work with of your plans. Communicate with all external partners to stay on the same page. Share contact information for your key personnel to keep information from getting lost. Check in regularly via conference calls, in-person meetings or email updates.

2. Revise and share implementation timelines. Revise your existing timeline to reflect the newly extended 2014 deadline. Model your plan after CMS’ online example timelines. Once your timelines has been adjusted, share it with providers and payors with whom you’re coordinating. Syncing timelines will help with testing.

Source: www.beckersasc.com; Heather Linder; September 17, 2012.