The demand for coding labor may increase as much as 20%-40% over the next two years, according to a recent report, The State of H.I.M.: A Study of the Impact of ICD-10, CDI, and CAC Initiatives Within the Health Information Management Community. Trust Healthcare Consulting Services, LLC, which published the report, surveyed more than 300 HIM professionals in all types of healthcare facilities in nearly every state. The majority of participants (84%) were HIM directors.
The demand for coders will be especially high during the second and third quarters of 2013 as well as the first quarter of 2014, according to the survey.
The report highlighted other interesting statistics as well.
Approximately 11% of survey participants reported that a computer-assisted coding solution was in place within their facility. However, approximately 75% said they expect to have one in place before 2015.
Only 5% of hospitals reported that they had begun dual coding. Approximately 45% of the respondents indicated that they would begin doing so within six months of their planned “go live” date for ICD-10-CM/PCS. Another 27% indicated they would begin this process about a year in advance of the “go live” date. Approximately 13% of the survey participants indicated that they did not plan to attempt dual coding at all.
The survey is rich with data about ICD-10 training and budgeting, clinical documentation improvement programs, outsourced coding services, and more.