AAFP: Payers indicate readiness for ICD-10

The largest private payers in the U.S. reported that they will be ready for ICD-10 implementation by the Oct. 1 compliance deadline, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).

The AAFP surveyed key contacts at large payers, including UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, BlueCross Blueshield and Humana, to ascertain their level of preparedness, list any problems or issues with testing, ensure the availability of contingency plans to tackle problem areas, ensure opportunities for multiple testing episodes for physician practices, among others.

The payers reported that they are working to ensure success with large clients first before moving on to readiness with smaller physician practices. Also, all payers established ICD-10 preparedness pages on their websites designed to assist physicians.

Overall, findings from the survey were positive, according to Laura Schmidt, an AAFP private sector advocacy strategist. "Insurers indicated that they'll be ready for the Oct. 1 ICD-10 deadline, and our members need to assume a sense of urgency to be ready as well," she said in a release.