One of the topics discussed was the new outpatient prospective payment system. Kathleen Murray, representing the American Hospital Association, stated that the new system, slated to take effect July 1, is more complex than the inpatient prospective payment system and hospitals now have little time to get ready for the new payment system. Addtional documentation and coding will be required. The Coinsurance and deductible determinations will likely lead to errots for hospitals and confusion for patients. The new system also will affect physicians.
Hospitals have to maintain and operate two separate coding systems.
To BE reimbursed, hospitals must collect ICD-9 diagnoses for outpatient services including tests. Many physicians don't provide ICD-9 codes when ordering tests because the test itself is needed to make the diagnosis. Hospitals must track down the physicians for the codes or not be paid. Another hearing is exspected in June with witnesses from the Health Care Financing Administration. These regulations went into effect April 26, 2000.