Tyranny by the Minority – Reprise: Feb. 9, 2015
The Subcommittee on Health, chaired by Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA), has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday, February 11, at 10:15 a.m. The hearing is entitled, “Examining ICD-10 Implementation.”
I first wrote “Tyranny by the Minority” on June 1, 2014. I think it’s worth a reprise in light of today’s hearing. Congress seems to be on track for allowing the Oct. 1, 2015 ICD-10 compliance date to actually happen but who knows? They pulled a fast one last year. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), in their interpretation of the Government Accountability Office report released Feb. 6 agree that CMS has adequately addressed congressional concerns about ICD-10. But again, who knows? The same players are involved. The same outcome could happen. Tyranny by the Minority is a cautionary tale that’s worth a reprint.
What’s the difference between a money launderer and a congressman? Once in a while the money launderer passes a few good bills. But HR 4302 wasn’t one of them. What a target rich environment for a rant. Do I go after Boehner and Reed and whoever paid them off for the only time those 2 ever agreed on anything? No…too easy. Do I go after CMS or DHHS or the White House for getting caught with their pants down? I mean Marilyn Tavenner was literally telling an audience there would be no further delays when an audience member received a news alert about the proposed ICD-10 delay on their phone. No…still too easy. The AMA is a likely culprit despite their protestations to the contrary. Merely days before the bill’s release, the AMA came out against the patch for a more permanent solution and…oops, what? There was a provision in there to delay ICD-10? Oh my goodness! How did THAT get in there? I mean this little nugget was a better kept secret than the raid on Bin Laden. Months ago I already ranted about following the money to really understand the AMA’s position. Can you say, “inevitable drive toward diagnosis based reimbursement that makes the CPT code system irrelevant and obsolete?”
No, since I have to focus my rant, I’m targeting every single ICD-10 detractor to expose what they really know and don’t know. Let’s review. ICD-10 is a data set that, for the first time in modern medical history, allows providers to reclaim control of their destiny. We get beaten up in every single managed care contract negotiation because we have to take a knife to a gunfight. Their highly skilled actuaries spin the data to take advantage of provider and patient alike. Now, we finally have the ability to fight their data with our data and the very constituents that should be ICD-10 champions have maligned it to the extent its eventuality is in question. We now have the ability to create accurate acuity level databases that prove…our patients are sicker and we therefore deserve additional compensation. Yet those with the most to gain are its most vocal opponents.
Denny is the principle consultant with The Talon Group. He formerly served as the CEO of a large, multi-specialty physician group, full service MSO and was certified as a CPC through AAPC. He has authored or co-authored numerous “common sense” practice management books and implementation manuals. He is an award winning, nationally known consultant, speaker, and educator bringing his expertise to making the complex “simple.”
Educated at the United States Air Force Academy, Denny had a distinguished career as an Air Force pilot and has a long history of commitment to excellence and dedication to his clients’ success. Contact the Author via email or (970) 390 8970.
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