Community and critical access hospitals are likely ICD-10 losers

A recent analysis suggests that your local, community hospital is an "ICD-10 loser".  Fitch Ratings released a report that concludes that expected payment delays with the switch will overwhelm smaller hospitals with minimal cash reserves with which to weather such delays.

Many rural, community hospitals are critical access hospitals.  A critical access hospital is a hospital that is 35 miles or more from the nearest, other hospital and that has been certified by Medicare to receive full-cost reimbursement.  The rationale for improving the financial condition of these hospitals is the recognition of the essential role they play in delivering health care to rural populations.  These hospitals are typically small hospitals with fewer than 50 beds.

Yet, the switch to ICD-10 stands to overwhelm many of them.  Your local, community hospital (which for many of you is a critical access hospital) cannot afford the switch.  Let's stop the switch!