Thomas Edison. Nickolas Tesla. Two hundred years ago, Edison and Tesla proposed different approaches to solve the same, unified problem — how to illuminate the world. Today, we face a similar quandary. How do we most efficiently test billing transactions and ensure a clean transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10?
Certainly, the methods we used in 2012 to transition from the HIPAA electronic claims standard version 4010 to version 5010 were not successful. Timelines got pushed back and reimbursements were delayed.
With ICD-10, new testing environments are needed and new approaches must be applied. The healthcare industry proposes two approaches: The first uses real-world, standard case scenarios coded in ICD-10, while the second applies General Equivalency Mappings to existing ICD-9 claims. This article briefs healthcare executives on the pros and cons of both methodologies.