Hospitals that are transitioning to ICD-10 need to be communicating with their software vendors, as vendors are instrumental for ICD-10 upgrades, testing and staff training, according to a CMS news update.
Here are 14 questions about ICD-10 hospitals should be asking their software vendors.
Existing vendors
• Will a mapping or crosswalk strategy be used between ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets?
• What is your timeline for system modifications and what do those modifications include?
• Will you continue to support applications or are you discontinuing some products in the wake of the ICD-10 transition?
• Are there any new hardware requirements associated with ICD-10-related software changes?
• Will training be provided for any new ICD-10-related functionality, and is there a charge?
• Is there a phased approach for implementing ICD-10?
New vendors
• How does your product simplify my organization's transition to ICD-10?
• How does the functionality offered by your system compare with my current system?
• Does your implementation require a complete system conversion?
• Based on what I already have in place, how much will it cost to convert to your system?
• What are the costs of maintenance for your product?
• Who in this area is using your current system?
• What kind of product quality guarantees do you offer, and are these guarantees included in the contract?
• What is your timeframe for implementation?
Here are 14 questions about ICD-10 hospitals should be asking their software vendors.
Existing vendors
• Will a mapping or crosswalk strategy be used between ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets?
• What is your timeline for system modifications and what do those modifications include?
• Will you continue to support applications or are you discontinuing some products in the wake of the ICD-10 transition?
• Are there any new hardware requirements associated with ICD-10-related software changes?
• Will training be provided for any new ICD-10-related functionality, and is there a charge?
• Is there a phased approach for implementing ICD-10?
New vendors
• How does your product simplify my organization's transition to ICD-10?
• How does the functionality offered by your system compare with my current system?
• Does your implementation require a complete system conversion?
• Based on what I already have in place, how much will it cost to convert to your system?
• What are the costs of maintenance for your product?
• Who in this area is using your current system?
• What kind of product quality guarantees do you offer, and are these guarantees included in the contract?
• What is your timeframe for implementation?
More Articles on ICD-10:
5 Initial Tasks for a Hospital ICD-10 Project Team
ICD-10 or ICD-11? The Dilemma Behind Both Coding Systems
Health Affairs: ICD-10 Delay Should Be Used to Prepare for ICD-11, SNOMED