Yesterday was the CMS-anointed HIPAA 5010 National Testing Day. Success stories have yet to be widely reported, so MGMA used the time to share some discouraging research.
"We are growing increasingly concerned regarding the ability of medical group practices to meet the Jan. 1 deadline," said William F. Jessee, MD, MGMA president and CEO in a statement.
Part of the problem, as MGMA research suggests, is that software vendors are not yet ready – makers of practice management systems in particular.
MGMA explained that 29 percent of respondents believed their current practice management system software would permit them to use Version 5010, while 50.3 percent said their software would require an update and 4.5 percent indicated their software would need to be replaced.
Perhaps more troubling, more than 30 percent revealed that they had not had any communication from their practice management software vendors about upgrades or testing HIPAA 5010.
[Related: Would delaying Stage 2 of meaningful use ignite ICD-10 efforts?]
"Our research indicates a significant number of practices have been forced to wait for their practice management system software vendors to make the required modifications before they can begin to test with clearinghouses and health plans,” said Jessee.
In a thorny game of blame, meanwhile, at least one software vendor has publicly said that payers are not ready for HIPAA 5010 testing. And that is despite the opportunities for providers and vendors alike.
Did you partake in the HIPAA 5010 National Testing Day? Either way, let us know by voting in the reader poll over at ICD10Watch, please.
