HIMSS creates ICD-10 readiness pilot, calls for vendor participation

The Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is calling for vendors to paricipate in a vendor-readiness project relating to ICD-10 compliance.

HIMSS, through its ICD-10 Task Force, together with health IT company VitalWare created a pilot program to develop VitalVendors, a real-time report card to allow ICD-10 affected vendors to self-report relative to their readiness for achieving ICD-10 compliance by October 1, 2013.

VitalVendors will be included in the updated Phase Two of the “HIMSS ICD-10 PlayBook,” to be released at the end of November.

In order to assist providers, Yakima, Wash.-based VitalWare developed the capability to identify vendor readiness by completing the seven levels of readiness survey, resulting in an automatic rating system generated by the vendor answers in response to the survey questions and meeting milestones set forth.

VitalVendors will display information from vendors wishing to participate and announce their readiness level, according to HIMSS, of Chicago. However, the ICD-10 Playbook VitalVendors will not display product specific information, the society noted.

Participating vendors will have the opportunity to promote their progress to the healthcare market through the HIMSS ICD-10 PlayBook website and the ability to use the VitalVendors 7 levels of readiness icon in their website and marketing materials, the healthcare organization added.

To participate in VitalVendors, the enrollment form must be completed and submitted with a list of all products affected by ICD-10 and the contact person(s) for each product(s). Upon completion of the enrollment form, participating vendors will be directed to the seven levels of readiness survey.

To be included in the late November launch of the updated ICD-10 PlayBook, the deadline to enroll is Nov. 11.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.