CHICAGO, May 1--AHIMA applauds the announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of an expected interim final rule with an October 1, 2015 implementation date for ICD-10-CM/PCS.
We know that the industry has already invested considerable time and money in implementation. We have long advocated for a coding system that offers flexibility and specificity, enables us to properly assess healthcare services, understand public health needs, and get the best rate of return from our national investment in EHRs and meaningful use.
All along, AHIMA has urged our members to "stay the course" of preparing for implementation. During the coming year, we recommend that the industry keep its momentum going, continuing to prepare by strengthening clinical documentation improvement programs, working with vendors on transition readiness, training coders and other stakeholders, and proceeding with dual coding.
AHIMA has long been a proponent of ICD-10 implementation and we have offered a variety of information, training, and support to help the industry prepare. We particularly want to reach out to the physician community and are prepared to support programs such as the field support training for small physician practices proposed by CMS.
AHIMA maintains its commitment to being a resource for all stakeholders during the transition and will continue working with public sector organizations and agencies along with industry partners such as the Coalition for ICD-10 to ensure a smooth transition for the industry.
###
About AHIMA
The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) represents more than 71,000 educated health information management professionals and health informatics in the United States and around the world. AHIMA is committed to promoting and advocating for high quality research, best practices and effective standards in health information and to actively contributing to the development and advancement of health information professionals worldwide. AHIMA's enduring goal is quality healthcare through quality information. www.ahima.org