The signing of the H.R. 4302 bill, which includes the provision to delay ICD-10 for one year, has received mixed responses from healthcare professionals. It's understandable considering the amount of time, energy and resources that have been dedicated to ICD-10 readiness.
Now, we have at least one additional year until ICD-10 goes live.
Our recommendation is to take advantage of the one year delay by focusing on compliance.
Compliance, a continuous process
Far too often, we find ourselves focusing on compliance at the last minute. Did everyone complete their training requirements? If not, who needs to?
Mild panic sets in, and the race is on to complete compliance requirements.
Since some time has been freed up thanks to the delay of ICD-10 implementation, now is a good time to focus on compliance as a continuous process. It is a good time for an organization to ensure compliance with HIPAA, OSHA and Medicare requirements is a continual process, rather than a process of completing the requirements at the last minute.
With the additional time we have been given it is our recommendation to make sure you have completed your required annual training requirements, reviewed your policies and procedures, and make sure you are up to date with any recent rule and/or regulation updates.
Your annual training requirements can be completing by logging in to the HCP website and completing the required training under the My Training tab.
Compliance as a continuous approach is a great way to be prepared for an unexpected audit, to prevent a breach of protected health information and to prevent panic that may set in during a last minute race to complete compliance requirements.
Continuous change
The ICD-10 delay surprised a lot of us as we were all ready for the mad dash towards the October 1, 2014 implementation date. Without any further delays, ICD-10 should be ready to go live by the end of 2015.
Instead of being frustrated with the delay of ICD-10 implementation, we can focus on the positives the delay provides. We have been given more time to ensure ICD-10 readiness, and compliance as a continuous process.
If there is one factor that is a constant in health care, it is that health care is continuously changing. It is important for health care professionals to be up to date on changes in health care, and ready to act when those changes arise.
If you have any questions about HIPAA, OSHA and Medicare compliance requirements please do not hesitate to contact one of our professional consultants.