If practices and hospitals are not HIPAA 5010 code compliant by Jan. 1, 2012, they face a daunting prospect: no longer receiving payer reimbursements. In order to help healthcare organizations avoid the financial devastation that would result from this predicament, Catch Data Systems has developed a 5010 resource center. The resources that can be found in the resource center include:

• 5010 frequently asked questions;
• How we can help;
• Examples of the 5010 work we are doing for our customers;
• Tips to help avoid small traps that can derail even the most carefully planned upgrade; and,
• Technical information provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the 5010 transition.

By launching the resource center, we hope that those who aren’t yet 5010-certified can get the guidance they need and avoid the loss of revenues that are very important to the financial health of many practices and hospitals. If after reviewing the information contained in this site you still need further assistance, please contact us as we’d be happy to help you manage the challenges that 5010 compliance present.

About HIPAA 5010

Part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the 5010 standards will replace the currently used 4010 codes, requiring more specific data when submitting claims.  Diagnosis codes will change from three to five, mostly numeric codes to three to seven, alphanumeric codes.  This will result in an increase from 13,000 codes currently in use, to 68,000 codes when 5010 takes effect.  Procedure codes will change from a three or four position numeric code to a seven position alphanumeric code and some sections have been reorganized.  These codes will grow from 4,000 to 87,000.

The 5010 standards are a precursor to the adoption of ICD-10, the newest International Classification of Disease codes.  The 4010 codes were unable to support ICD-10.