Only 43 percent of healthcare organizations feel they are currently on track with their preparation, according to key findings from Navicure’s fourth ICD-10 readiness survey. Navicure and Porter Research deployed the survey in August 2015 as the fourth wave of a research study designed to trend attitudes and behavior regarding the transition to ICD-10. The survey finds that majority (85 percent) are still optimistic they will be ready when the transition happens, yet more than half of respondents (57 percent) still do not believe they are “on track” at this late stage to be prepared for the October 1 transition date. On a more positive note, more are on track for the transition than the previous survey (43 percent versus 21 percent).
Key Findings
Impact on revenue and cash flow.
– Fifty-six percent of respondents noted cash flow was their greatest concern, while the overwhelming majority (94 percent) of participants anticipate an increase in their denial rate. While some organizations are being proactive in other areas to improve revenue and cash flow, such as improving patient collections (34 percent), denial management (30 percent) and patient price estimation (17 percent) processes, 35 percent have not adjusted their revenue cycle in preparation for ICD-10.
Increased clinical documentation improvement. Thirty-one percent of respondents cite increased clinical documentation improvement and coding requirements as the most challenging aspect of the transition. Even with a well-trained staff, industry experts estimate staff productivity may decline by more than 50 percent, so it is important to invest in training and/or resources that can help mitigate productivity loss due to coding errors.
End-to-end testing results. Sixty percent of respondents who completed end-to-end testing reported the results were as expected and positive. However, more than 35 percent have not participated at all. With a few weeks until the transition, organizations should test all changes internally, and where payers are capable and available, participate in end-to-end testing.
Survey Background/Methodology
Similar to Navicure’s first three surveys, the majority of participants were practice administrators or billing managers (58 percent), followed by practice executives (14 percent), and billers and coders (14 percent). Survey respondents represented a broad range of specialties and sizes, with the majority (67 percent) coming from physician practices with one to 10 providers.