CCSD is introducing a new industry standard schedule of diagnostic tests to drive further standardisation of coding. This will increase transparency of information in the independent sector in line with the recently published Provisional Findings from the Competition Commission’s investigation.
The new schedule is largely based on NHS codes to ensure comparability with the public sector, creating the most current, relevant and comprehensive classification of such services available today.
The first phase of the new schedule will be published on Monday 23 September 2013 and will introduce around 1,500 new codes covering Audiology, Cardiac, Ophthalmology, Respiratory and Pathology services. The next phase, covering Radiology services, will be published in October 2013.
The introduction of the new schedule follows a request from the Association of British Insurers to improve the transparency and consistency for defining and recording diagnostic services. Over 400 individuals and organisations were invited to provide input.
To ensure the new schedule is used as quickly as possible, CCSD has appointed Healthcode to manage its implementation across the independent sector. Healthcode will work with hospitals and insurers to ensure the new schedule is seamlessly integrated and in time, hospitals and insurers will be able to align their contracts to the new schedule.
Riko Scandelius, Chairman of CCSD said: “We are grateful to the ABI for initiating this important exercise on behalf of health insurers. Not only will this new schedule improve customers’ access to high quality, appropriate and cost effective healthcare it will also further improve value for money by reducing unnecessary costs in administering claims and invoices. We have consulted widely and sought input from clinical experts in producing this Schedule - the whole sector will benefit from its introduction.”
Peter Connor, Managing Director Healthcode said: “The effectiveness and hence success of this service classification will be determined by its take-up and adoption. Healthcode is delighted to accept responsibility for ensuring this schedule is deployed seamlessly across the sector. We are committed to doing this in a way that will maximise the accuracy and completeness of the information flowing across the sector but critically minimise operational disruption for both insurers and providers."
Aidan Kerr, Head of Property & Health at the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said: “The ABI welcomes the publication of the new clinical codes by the CCSD. The consistent use of standardised codes will lead to greater transparency across the private healthcare sector, which will improve the data available on the healthcare provided to patients, and help insurers to better understand the health needs of their customers.”
Matt James, CEO Private Healthcare Information Network (PHIN) added: “PHIN welcomes any initiative that improves transparency and patient choice in private healthcare. Better visibility of diagnostics will be extremely helpful. We look forward to working with CCSD on the new standardisation programme to ensure that we can help patients to make meaningful comparisons of care both within the sector and with the NHS.”