While preparation for ICD-10 intensifies, questions surrounding EMR vendor readiness and ICD-10-related technologies are surfacing. In the KLAS report, "ICD-10 Perception 2012: Can Technology Relieve Readiness Issues?," the second report of a two-part series, KLAS discusses how leading providers around the country are hiring third-party consulting firms to help them overcome these and other ICD-10 challenges, including staff readiness, training and technology.

[See also: ICD-10 'storm' posing dilemmas for health information management.]

The study reveals that providers rated EMR vendors Cerner, Epic and Siemens highest in their ICD-10 preparedness, whereas Allscripts and MEDITECH rate lowest. Among the technologies providers are utilizing for the ICD-10 transition is computer-assisted coding, for which the report shows most organizations are turning to 3M.

The KLAS study explores the ICD-10 offerings of 3M, The Advisory Board, Allscripts, Cerner, CPSI, Deloitte, Epic, HMS, McKesson, MEDITECH, Nuance, OptumInsight, Precyse, PwC, QuadraMed and Siemens.

The first of this two-part report, "ICD-10 Consulting: Roadmap to a Successful Transition," was released last December. It discusses how providers expect to use consulting firms in their future preparation and ICD-10 transition plans. KLAS found that the vast majority (84 percent) of providers had engaged a consulting firm for ICD-10 roadmap/gap analysis.

[See also: With ICD-10 looming, providers look to computer-assisted coding.]

The Advisory Board tops the ranking in this category with high praise for quality roadmaps and best-practice sharing, though findings are showing that Deloitte has the largest and most complex engagements of any firm. Training was the second most frequent type of engagement, with the Precyse University offering standing out. The report also included 3M, The Advisory Board, Aspen Advisor, Cerner, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, maxIT, Precyse, PwC and Siemens.