New study finds ICD-10 mandate hardship for healthcare providers

A proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services requiring all physician practices and other providers to adopt a new ICD-10 code set by 2011 would dramatically increase costs for physician practices and clinical laboratories, according to a new cost study initiated by a broad group of provider organizations and conducted by Nachimson Advisors. These groups are now calling on HHS to carefully reassess its plan to rapidly adopt ICD-10 and extend the implementation time frame, according to a release from the Medical Group Management Association.