With the ICD-10 implementation date delayed once again until October 1, 2015, providers who were previously unprepared for the transition or had only begun their transition planning have an extra year to address the upcoming changes in an attempt to minimize any potential disruption to their organization.
As part of the implementation planning, it is imperative that providers review their managed care and commercial payor contracts and ensure that these address the transition because, despite considerable discussion regarding the transition in the professional communities, there remains great uncertainty as to whether the transition to ICD-10 will be smooth or rocky. Neither providers nor payors know what the result will be, nor does either side know whether any initial distortions will result in positive or negative financial impact for payers or providers. It is unclear whether the new system will result in additional payments flowing from payors to providers or reduced payments in the form of inappropriate denials or adjustments.
At a minimum, managed care and payor contracts should include language in which the parties agree that any financial impact will be neutralized, with the parties agreeing to use good faith efforts to work together to make adjustments in a reasonable time frame so as to minimize the financial impact to either side. In our experience, this is a concept most payers agree with and are willing to memorialize in their contracts. This approach, however, relies on a post-transition review and may result in a significant time lag between when an impact is detected and when systems are corrected and cash flow normalizes. As a result, providers should consider approaching payors and agreeing in advance upon certain procedures for handling the transition prior to its occurrence, in an attempt to ensure a collaborative approach that may minimize the impact once the transition occurs.
Strategic Provisions
As an example, below are strategic provisions which may be included in contracts that will help with ICD-10 transition preparedness:
By approaching payors early, and establishing a cooperative process to address the transition, both sides may minimize the impact of the inevitable transition by eliminating potentially costly delays and disputes in the future.