Survey: Small Practices Aren’t Ready for ICD-10

Many healthcare professionals continue to think that there should be no transition to the ICD-10 coding set, according to a new survey from NueMD, a Marietta, Ga.-based medical practice management software vendor.

NueMD's third "Attitudes Towards ICD-10" survey generated 1,000 responses from healthcare professionals across all 50 states. While the survey includes responses from medical practices, billing companies, and other industry professionals, the majority of respondents are from small practices.

The data suggests these small practices are less prepared and more concerned than larger organizations. The top response for questions about the new coding standards and the timeline for implementation was "There should be no transition to ICD-10." To help explain that sentiment:

• 11 percent of respondents said they're "highly confident" their employees will be adequately trained by the current Oct. 1 implementation deadline, while 35 percent said "not at all confident."
• 13 percent of respondents said they're "highly confident" their business will be prepared for ICD-10 by Oct. 1, while 31 percent said "not at all confident."

When asked about their concerns and expectations for different areas of their business:

• 65 percent said they're "highly" or "significantly" concerned about claims processing.
• 70 percent expect that finances will be affected "somewhat" or "very" negatively.
• 70 percent also expect that operations will be affected "somewhat" or "very" negatively.

NueMD conducted similar surveys in 2012 and 2014. While there were some small positive changes in levels of concern, there weren't any major shifts over the last three years. Similarly, an exclusive survey recently done by Healthcare Informatics, in conjunction with QuantiaMD, a Waltham, Mass.-based social network for physicians, found that doctors—many of whom have come out against ICD-10—are not backing down in their distaste for the mandate.