2015 predictions: ICD-10 will start, meaningful use will stall, PQRS won’t stick

Why This Topic Matters

These predicted shifts affect compliance workload, reimbursement, audit exposure, and operational planning for physician practices. Readers can use the article to understand which program areas were expected to demand the most attention and where implementation risk was considered highest.

Article Sections

1. ICD-10

   Discussion of anticipated implementation timing, readiness concerns, and the expected early impact on physician practices and testing efforts.

2. Meaningful use

   Predictions about attestation activity, program participation, possible delays or exceptions, and related federal policy developments.

3. PQRS

   Coverage of reporting participation, compliance challenges, expected penalties, and the role of vendors and registries in supporting reporting workflows.

4. CCM

   Forecasts about adoption of chronic care management billing, related operational barriers, technology support, and comparisons with other care management services.

5. Permanent SGR fix

   Predictions regarding congressional action on Medicare payment fixes and the possibility of additional related requirements.

6. Audits

   Expectations for increased audit activity tied to federal programs, coding utilization, and practice compliance issues.

7. New revenue

   Speculation about practice-service diversification as a response to reimbursement pressure and changing payment conditions.