DST Health Solutions Announces Alliance with 3M to Provide ICD-10 Code Translation Technology to Health Plans

3M ICD-10 Code Translation Tool Helps Payers Prepare for 2013 Transition to ICD-10

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DST Health Solutions, LLC, today announced that it has signed an agreement with 3M Health Information Systems enabling DST Health Solutions to leverage the 3M ICD-10 Code Translation Tool to help health plan clients transition their business operations to support new ICD-10 coding, as mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

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ICD-10 will replace ICD-9 as the U.S. coding standard beginning October 1, 2013. CMS will require ICD-10 codes for all HIPAA transactions to ensure data compatibility nationally and internationally. Moving from a system of about 18,000 ICD-9 codes to more than 140,000 ICD-10 codes requires a systematic and comprehensive transition strategy.

"ICD-10 is one of the most significant business and system changes the health insurance industry has faced — both financially and clinically," said Steve Sabino, president, DST Health Solutions. "Working together, DST Health Solutions and 3M have the tools and expertise to help health plans successfully meet these requirements."

DST Health Solutions' experts will use the 3M ICD-10 Code Translation Tool as part of their transformation services to translate codes appropriately based on medical management and financial drivers and create specific mappings to meet the particular needs of each healthcare organization.

The 3M ICD-10 Code Translation Tool is a powerful web-based application designed to support ICD-9 to ICD-10 code conversion of large, complex information systems and the creation of customized code mappings for specific clinical and business needs.

"By integrating the 3M ICD-10 translation technology with services offered by DST Health Solutions, we can help payer organizations take immediate action to convert information systems, update processes, and take advantage of the rich detail of ICD-10 converted data," said Sandeep Wadhwa, MD, chief medical officer for 3M Health Information Systems. "We look forward to working together to help health plans achieve a successful ICD-10 transition."

Using the 3M software, DST Health Solutions will be able to expedite the translation process by importing reference data specific to a health plan's system—such as frequency of codes, cost or payment weight information—and support complex mapping decisions to convert ICD-9 based information to ICD-10.

DST Health Solutions consultants are available to help health plans review their ICD-10 transformation plans, including strategy, planning, analysis, business process improvement, technology adoption, training, impact assessment and remediation. For more information, please call 800-272-4799.

About 3M Health Information Systems

Best known for its market-leading coding system and ICD-10 expertise, 3M Health Information Systems delivers innovative software and consulting services designed to raise the bar for clinical documentation improvement, computer-assisted coding, mobile physician applications, case mix and quality outcomes reporting, and document management. Our robust healthcare data dictionary and terminology services also support the expansion and accuracy of the electronic health record (EHR) system. With nearly 30 years of healthcare industry experience and the know-how of more than 100 credentialed 3M coding experts, 3M is the go-to partner for more than 5,000 hospitals worldwide that want to improve quality and financial performance. Visit www.3MHIS.com.

About DST Health Solutions
DST Health Solutions, LLC delivers systems and services that help improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, increase speed to market, and facilitate medical cost management and price containment. Our clients include commercial health plans, consumer-directed plans, government plans (Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D and Medicaid) and physician practices. DST Health Solutions' enterprise applications and outsourcing services include claims processing, member and provider management, benefit plan management, new product development, care management and medical management, and decision support/analytics. DST Health Solutions is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc. For more information about DST Health Solutions, contact 800.272.4799, email [email protected] or visit www.dsthealthsolutions.com.

The information and comments above may include forward-looking statements respecting DST and its businesses. Such information and comments are based on DST's views as of today, and actual actions or results could differ. There could be a number of factors affecting future actions or results, including those set forth in DST's latest periodic financial report (Form 10-K or 10-Q) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such factors should be considered in evaluating any forward-looking comment. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements in this press release to reflect future events.

Contact:  
Emma Douglas  
(203) 504-8230 ext. 107  
[email protected]  

SOURCE DST Health Solutions, LLC