Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/576097
58 FINANCE ing and preparations, it's entirely reasonable to think some payers won't be ready to accept ICD-10-coded claims. How to prepare: Set aside cash or pursue lines of credit now. Continue end-to-end testing strategies to mitigate technology-re- lated problems and ensure timely claims submission and process- ing. Also devise a strategy for how you'll submit both ICD-9- and ICD-10-coded claims if payers either aren't ready or experience technical difficulties. 4. Denial management hiring challenges As denials increase, it will be difficult to find qualified deni- al management experts who are well-versed in the specificity of ICD-10. Denial management is not something that can be taught in a classroom — rather, it's oen learned by on-the-job experi- ence. ose who can efficiently and effectively manage ICD-10 denials will be in high demand following go-live. How to prepare: Start beefing up staff performance now. is may include partnering with a vendor or even looking into more robust denial management soware. Organizations will need the ability to quickly identify trends and patterns in denials and take steps to rectify those denials immediately. Looking ahead ICD-10 has a direct effect on revenue, which is why CFOs may feel the most intense implementation aershocks. An orga- nization's revenue is what keeps its doors open and business op- erations flowing smoothly. CFOs need to know how productivity may decrease and how this, in turn, will affect operations. e ICD-10 transition also "strengthens the connection between cli- nicians and finance; leading to improved processes and efficien- cy," according to Mr. Hepler with Munson Healthcare. Advanced preparation is the best way to work through the transition. About the Author Kelly provides strategic and global program management, health- care product development and competitive intelligence at Whittle Advisors. Prior to Whittle Advisors, she worked at Trinity Health, leading the ICD-10 physician network program. Prior to joining Trinity Health, she transitioned omson Reuters' hospital prod- uct portfolio to ICD-10-CM/PCS compliance. n 3 Negative, 19 Positive Hospital Rating Actions By Ayla Ellison T here were 22 hospital credit rating actions in the past month, with positive actions significantly outpacing negative ones, according to a report from HFA Partners. The hospitals and health systems receiving rating and/or outlook down- grades included the following: • Loma Linda (Calif.) University Medi- cal Center — from BBB-/negative to BB+/negative (Fitch) • ProMedica Healthcare (Toledo, Ohio) — from AA/stable to AA/neg- ative (S&P) • West Jefferson Medical Center (Marrero, La.) — from Baa2/stable to Ba2/review (Moody's) The hospitals and health systems receiving rating and/or outlook up- grades included the following: • AtlantiCare Regional Medical Cen- ter (Atlantic City, N.J.) — from A+/ stable to A+/positive (S&P) • Bayhealth Medical Center (Dover, Del.) — from A+/stable to A+/posi- tive (S&P) • Boca Raton (Fla.) Regional Hospital Corp. — from BBB/stable to BBB+/ stable (Fitch) • Boca Raton (Fla.) Regional Hospital Corp. — from BBB/stable to BBB+/ stable (S&P) • Bowling Green (Ky.)-Warren County Hospital Corp. — from A/positive to A+/stable (S&P) • Central DuPage Hospital Associa- tion (Winfield, Ill.) — from AA/stable to AA+/stable (S&P) • Citrus Valley Health Partners (Co- vina, Calif.) — from Ba2/positive to Baa3/stable (Moody's) • Decatur (Texas) Hospital Authority — from BB+/stable to BB+/positive (S&P) • Delnor Community Hospital (Ge- neva, Ill.) — from AA/stable to AA+/ stable (S&P) • Elliot Hospital (Manchester, N.H.) — from BBB/negative to BBB/stable (S&P) • Mercy Health Services (Baltimore) — from BBB/negative to BBB/stable (S&P) • OSF Healthcare System (Peoria, Ill.) — from A/stable to A/positive (S&P) • OSF Healthcare System (Peoria, Ill.) — from A3/stable to A2/stable (Moody's) • Pinnacle Health System (Harrisburg, Pa.) — from A/stable to A/positive (S&P) • Saginaw (Mich.) Hospital Finance Authority — from A/stable to A/ positive (S&P) • Trinity Mother Frances Health System (Tyler, Texas) — from BBB+/ stable to BBB+/positive (Fitch) • UMass Memorial Health Care (Worcester, Mass.) — from BBB+/ negative to BBB+/stable (S&P) • University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics (Madison) — from A+/stable to A+/positive (S&P) • Winchester (Mass.) Hospital — from A-/stable to A/stable (S&P) n