ICD-10 – The greatest value

Within the myriad implementation challenges and cost of ICD-10 lie the greatest value—data; both short term and long term that data analytics affords. The short term gain is realized financially: MS-DRGs, HCCs, as well as private reimbursement, yet the long term gain are realized clinically. Data that monitors utilization and clinical outcomes, reports comparable mortality and morbidity data, provides parity of medical terminology for research, and fulfills our fiduciary responsibility to the World Health Organization and the global populace.

Will “a patient” benefit from ICD-10? Will a physician make better decisions or provider better care based on ICD-10? Not likely that either will occur with the new code set. ICD-10 is a classification system with value realized long term that only accurate data can deliver.

To gain maximum benefit from ICD-10, one must strategize and plan long term. Integrate clinical mapping concepts from ICD-10 with SNOMED CT terminology and HL7 to capitalize on the power of big data. Knowledge of the intricacies of the healthcare continuum provides your organization with the much needed direction to integrate and capitalize on these processes.