UTMB has launched a vital project related to the International Classification of Disease–Tenth Revision, or ICD-10—the system by which US health care providers will document diagnoses and, in turn, get compensated for services. The conversion to ICD-10 will involve multiple areas—from our hospitals and clinics to billing and finance to the faculty group practice. It will significantly change how we document the care we provide and help ensure the continued financial health of the university.
ICD-10 is mandated by the federal government and designed to more accurately capture health care data and improve health care outcomes. The system includes an updated set of codes that provides much more specific identification of patient illnesses, treatments and medical procedures than ever before. It replaces the 30-year-old ICD-9 system, which is not specific enough for today’s health care environment.
All UTMB providers must fully convert to using ICD-10 codes to describe diagnosis and treatment by Oct. 1, 2014. All reporting and payment processes must use the ICD-10 system by that date as well. We do not anticipate a grace period beyond the deadline.
Medical claims and other transactions that do not use proper ICD-10 codes will be rejected for Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance reimbursement and will have to be re-submitted for payment using the new codes. Such delays in payment could significantly impair UTMB’s financial resources at a time when our institution’s planned growth is dependent on a predictable revenue and cash stream, so it is vital that we work together to meet the federal deadline for converting to the new system.
To ensure our readiness for implementing ICD-10, UTMB established a broad-based Steering Committee, led by Vice President for Revenue Cycle Suman Smith, to guide our efforts. The committee has been hard at work for several months now to ensure UTMB’s ability to fully comply with ICD-10 requirements by October 1, 2014. We are very confident we will meet the federal deadline.
In the coming months, UTMB physicians and staff will be asked to participate in training and information sessions regarding the conversion to ICD-10. If you are asked to participate in such a session, it is essential that you do so.
To learn more about ICD-10 and why it is so important to our mission, visit the
Mission Possible web site. And look for periodic updates on iUTMB, Impact and other internal channels.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this important transition.
Dr. David L. Callender
President
Dr. Danny O. Jacobs
Executive Vice President and Provost
Dean, School of Medicine
Ms. Donna K. Sollenberger
Executive Vice President
Chief Executive Officer, UTMB Health System