The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has selected ICD-10 code translation technology from 3M Health Information Systems to assist the federal agency in converting systems, applications, and reports based on ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes into ICD-10 language.

The code translation tool from 3M will be used by CMS to streamline code translations and support ICD-10 transition planning at CMS headquarters in Baltimore.

CMS also licensed the software for use by its Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs), Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and carriers to promote translations from ICD-9 to ICD-10 in all of the CMS systems.

ICD-10 will replace ICD-9 as the nation’s coding standard beginning Oct. 1, 2013. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, ICD-9 no longer meets the needs of today’s healthcare system because of its limited ability to accommodate new procedures and diagnoses.

The ICD-10 code translation technology is a web-based application that supports code conversion of large, complex information systems and creates customized code mappings for clinical and business needs at large health systems and stand-alone community hospitals.

Source:http://www.cmio.net/index.php?option=com_articles&view=article&id=29473:cms-selects-icd-10-conversion-software

Cougar Mountain Software (CMS), a developer of accounting software, announces the promotion of Lori Pennington to Director of Product Management from Senior Product Manager, effective September 1, 2010.

As Director of Product Management, Lori leads a team that conducts market research to determine new products and functionality that is needed to bring new accounting software customers on board. From there she and her team design innovative software, new products and enhancements to meet market and customer demands in order to ensure the continued growth of Cougar Mountain Software. Lori also oversees management of the Custom Modification Division.

Chief Marketing Officer, Dave Haworth said of Lori’s promotion: “(Lori) has demonstrated professionalism, team spirit, hard work and has been a motivation to people working with her. She has done a great job in improving her skills from a design perspective and in her abilities as a manager. We are sure Lori will bring the same spirit and energy to her work in this new capacity.”

Lori began working with Cougar Mountain Software in 2003 as a Technical Writer and later advanced to the role of team leader. In 2009, Lori again was promoted to Senior Product Manager. Lori holds a B.A. in English, with a Technical Communication emphasis and an M.A. in Technical Communication from Boise State University. Lori has authored and co-authored multiple articles in trade and academic journals. She is also an adjunct professor of business communication at Boise State University.

Source:http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=506010&Itemid=30