Opposing sides continue ICD-10 debate

In the ongoing saga of ICD-10 implementation, opposing sides continue to advocate their positions.

Several state medical associations and the National Physicians' Council for Healthcare Policy sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner urging a delay of implementation of the new code set by two years.

The Texas Medical Association also calls for a 2017 implementation date, offering up text that providers can copy and paste to appeal for another delay. “It’s imperative that you contact your representative today and explain how you cannot afford the cost and disruption of ICD-10 implementation to your business, especially now, when you are buried in myriad other bureaucratic burdens.”

The organization advises providers to cut and paste its letter onto their personal stationery. The letter says that physicians will be the hardest hit for the costs of implementing ICD-10, spending $356 million and losing $571 million from decreased productivity.  

Last year’s delay was added to legislation for the sustainable growth rate patch but in a recent article, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) said a delay could be attached in an amendment to a $157 billion fiscal 2015 spending bill for the departments of Labor, Education and Health and Human Services that expires on Dec. 11.

Meanwhile, the association issued a statement conveying its ongoing support for an Oct. 1, 2015, implementation date. “The industry has already seen two delays in implementation, and each delay has cost the industry billions of dollars, as well as the untold costs of lost benefits from implementing a more effective code set.”

AHIMA cites surveys that indicate lower implementation costs than initially estimated and good progress among providers in implementation preparations.

“Another delay will only further deter progress and cost the industry money. There is no benefit to deferring implementation,” the group says.