Performance improvement important part of ICD-10

Performance improvement important part of ICD-10

Kenneth L. Silverstein, M.D., MBA
Kenneth L. Silverstein, M.D., MBA

ICD-10 is coming.

After several delays, the federally mandated launch is scheduled for Oct. 1.

ICD stands for the International Classification of Diseases. These codes provide critical information about epidemiology, managing health, and treating conditions, as well as provide insurers with information they need to determine reimbursement.

ICD isn’t just a new way for health systems to get paid. The goal is performance improvement, says Sharon Anderson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S., FACHE, senior vice president for Quality, Patient Safety, and Population Health Management and director, Center for Quality and Safety of the Value Institute.

“ICD-10 will drive much more detailed information around patient conditions, and the procedures and treatment modalities,” she says.  “Greater level of detailed diagnoses and procedure codes will assist us in better understanding the value of the care that we deliver, which will ultimately enhance quality and safety.”

The new system is designed to strengthen the connection between documentation and clinical care, says Kenneth L. Silverstein, M.D., MBA, chief medical officer.

“Providers involved in clinical care delivery need to know what is going on with their patients,” he says.  “ICD-10 implementation is an opportunity for clinicians to focus on communicating more effectively about the status of the patient.”

“Change is always hard, but there is a very clear awareness in the health care industry that change is coming,” Dr. Silverstein says. “We’re committed to ensuring that our providers and employees have the support they need to make that change.”

In addition to driving reimbursement, ICD-10 will impact particular quality measures that are important to our organization, our providers, and payers, says Thomas Corrigan, MBA, chief financial officer.

“More specific coding can provide better comparability,” he says. “The rest of the world is already using ICD-10 and providing good, clear documentation up front will provide better comparability for publicly released outcomes measures.”

Documentation also impacts patients in outpatient environment, Dr. Silverstein notes.

“If a physician writes a prescription for a lab test or diagnostic test there needs to be specificity in ICD-10 terms,” he says.  “In the end game, that results in benefits for patients and the services that support that care.”

Doctors and other providers can expect robust support for the transition. A team of specialists from multiple areas is developing web-based education specifically for providers, to be released no later than Sept. 1. Education for non-coders and non-providers who were identified as having responsibilities that require knowledge of ICD-10 began in July.

“Change is always hard, but there is a very clear awareness in the health care industry that change is coming,” Dr. Silverstein says. “We’re committed to ensuring that our providers and employees have the support they need to make that change.”

As Oct. 1 approaches, ongoing communications and updates will be shared via the ICD-10 inet portal page (login required)On the main page will be links to helpful resources including the CMS ICD-10 website.

 

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