WEDI launches ICD-10 public-private partnership

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) will partner with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and healthcare organizations to develop the ICD-10 Implementation Success Initiative.

The initiative will support healthcare providers, payers, clearinghouses and vendors as they strive to successfully implement ICD-10, which goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2014, according to an announcement from the workgroup.

Comprised of several different elements, the initiative includes a publicly available, searchable database of ICD-10 issues (accessible here) and will include a series of educational webinars and articles addressing conversion issues and trends.

WEDI, CMS and their partners also will triage issues and provide information and resources to help organizations understand how the new codes and coding standards will impact diagnosis and inpatient procedures, according to WEDI.

Other collaboration partners include AAPC, American Health Information Management Association, America’s Health Insurance Plans, American Osteopathic Association, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Cooperative Exchange, Healthcare Billing Management Association, Medical Group Management Association, National Association of Community Health Centers, National Association of Rural Health Clinics and Professional Association of Health Care Office Management.

“We appreciate WEDI’s work in leading this effort and of all the partners for their cooperation. By working together, sharing knowledge and collaborating, this initiative will become a valuable resource for industry issues as we move toward the ICD-10 transition,” said Robert Tagalicod, director of the CMS Office of E-Health Standards and Services, in a statement.