Pushing back the deadline on ICD-10 implementation would be bad for providers and patients alike, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society asserted in a news release.

Reacting to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' announcement earlier this week that the agency would revise its Oct. 1, 2013 deadline for healthcare organizations to switch over from ICD-9 to ICD-10 diagnostic and procedural codes, Chicago-based HIMSS said ICD-10 is "the very basic foundation for other healthcare information efforts." As such, according to the organization, the current timeline should be maintained.

ICD-10's more-expansive roster of codes offers the opportunity for "increased research capabilities, quality metrics and public health tracking and reporting," HIMSS stated in the news release, also noting that nearly 90% of respondents to its latest annual leadership survey said they expected their organization to complete the ICD-10 conversion on time.

"HIMSS members suggest that any delay in the implementation of ICD-10 could result in additional provider costs," the group stated. "Examples of these costs include maintaining two separate systems, retaining the services of consultants for longer than anticipated and retraining staff."

On Thursday, the American Medical Association—whose members voted in November to work to stop ICD-10 implementation—announced its support for HHS' move toward a deadline delay.

HIMSS "understands and recognizes that there are providers facing resource challenges to meet the compliance date," according to the release. But switching to ICD-10 "will affect more positive outcomes for patients" and all health stakeholders "should use ICD-10 as a foundational element," HIMSS stated.