Comments on: Medical Community Breathes Sigh of Relief Over ICD-10 Delay

By: Samantha Gluck

Samantha Gluck — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 20:48:30 +0000

I agree, Mitch. I don’t understand why we’ve structured the system to pay on Dx in this way either. It’s absolutely crazy. Lots of things work on principle, Mitch — even communism. It just won’t work in real life — not the way we want it to, anyway.

By: Mitch Mitchell

Mitch Mitchell — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 20:09:30 +0000

The problem is that it’s all about reimbursement, mainly Medicare and Medicaid; that’s the only reason it hasn’t been implemented yet. No other country pays on diagnosis this way, which is why they’re all going to be on ICD-12 before we’re on 11. Although I support the new health plan on principle, it’s this issue that no one has resolved yet that’s messing things up in my mind. Not that New York state was going to even try to be ready by 2013 as it pertains to compensation or no fault anyway; that’s where I am.

By: Samantha Gluck

Samantha Gluck — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 19:13:18 +0000

Hi Mitch,

I agree. There’s definitely something awry here with the system. I think part of the problem (along with myriad others) is that it’s run by government and not by the private sector. I don’t really have any well-thought out ideas about how the private sector could handle the implementation, but I would bet my right arm that they’d handle it better than the public sector. #justsayin

By: Mitch Mitchell

Mitch Mitchell — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:11:05 +0000

Goodness, they’re never going to get this thing implemented. It was originally supposed to be implemented in 2003; 9 years later they have to push it back another year, again? What a way to run health care!

By: Samantha Gluck

Samantha Gluck — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:01:49 +0000

Great points, all, John! I think, though, that many health care professionals (procrastinators excluded) have felt a sense of dread and overwhelm at having to handle with all that’s involved with the changeover whilst still conducting the business of “doctoring” patients. Perhaps that’s what the author meant by “collective sigh of relief”.

You do raise a very astute point, however, about the dismay that must have been felt by those who had jumped right on the task and were prepared, only to have it delayed.

By: John Lynn

John Lynn — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 04:15:43 +0000

I’m not sure there was a collective sigh of relief across all of healthcare. Many institutions that have invested heavily in ICD-10 were likely annoyed by the delay after their big financial investment. A number of other health IT companies were no doubt annoyed even more by the delay. Although, those that have been procrastinating ICD-10 no doubt made up for the others that weren’t excited about the delay.

By: Samantha Gluck

Samantha Gluck — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:57:12 +0000

Yes, it’s very “interesting”, isn’t it? Of course, this is the government we’re talking about! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. It’s an honor to have your (final) thoughts on this topic.

By: The Nerdy Nurse

The Nerdy Nurse — Sun, 30 Sep 2012 04:12:42 +0000

I find it interesting that the “Final Rules” from CMS never really seem to be final.