WEDI's Final ICD-10 Survey Charts Successful Implementation

The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI) announced the release of its findings from its March 2016 ICD-10 postimplementation survey. In the May 2 letter to the Health and Human Services Secretary, WEDI shared survey results and an analysis of the responses on the ICD-10 transition following the October 1, 2015, implementation.

"WEDI has played a tremendous role in educating the industry and helping to best ease the impacts of the ICD-10 transition for many years," says Jean Narcisi, chair of WEDI. "We wanted this postimplementation survey to be a closing chapter of assessment on why the transition went so well overall and to also leverage specific lessons learned for future large implementations."

Some key observations from the survey results include the following:

• Response rate: This survey had a low response rate in relation to prior surveys, possibly indicating the reassignment of ICD-10 project personnel and likely a lack of interest in further ICD-10–related activities that are not operational in nature.
• Impact of delays: While the changes to the compliance date added cost for many organizations and caused a lack of momentum, all sectors also indicated that the delays improved the ability to perform testing and resulted in a smoother transition.
• Cost: Vendor and health plan respondents indicated that the cost of implementation was on target with expectations or was more than anticipated. While the majority of provider responses also indicated that costs were in line with expectations or higher, many providers responded that costs were less than expected.
• Return on investment (ROI): The majority of respondents indicated that they did not expect to realize any ROI with ICD-10.
• Productivity: The impact to productivity was primarily neutral for vendors and health plans, but there was a slight decrease in productivity for providers.
• Information sources: All respondents indicated that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and WEDI resources were very helpful along with coding materials from industry organizations.
• Key lessons: Some common themes reflected in the responses indicate the value of starting early, communicating with trading partners, and conducting extensive testing.

More information on WEDI events and ICD-10 work products are also available on the WEDI website at www.wedi.org/workgroups/icd-10.

Source: The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange