The United States’ Departure from the World Health Organization and Its Impact on the Transition to ICD-11
The United States’ departure from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020 has generated significant debate and concern in various sectors, including the healthcare and medical coding industries. A critical area of impact from this decision lies in the switch from the ICD-10 coding system to the newly developed ICD-11, a transition that has been in progress globally. This blog explores the relationship between the U.S.’s withdrawal from the WHO and its potential effects on the country’s adoption of the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11).
Understanding the U.S. Withdrawal from the WHO
In 2020, during the administration of President Donald Trump, the U.S. formally announced its intent to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns about the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of reform, and allegations of bias toward China. Although the Biden administration has signaled intentions to re-engage with the WHO, the departure raised numerous questions about the future of international health coordination and standards, such as disease reporting, public health guidelines, and medical classifications.
What Is ICD-11 and Why Is It Important?
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is a globally recognized system used by healthcare providers for diagnosing diseases, tracking health statistics, and billing for services. Managed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the ICD system is vital for accurate global health reporting, research, and the management of diseases and health conditions.
ICD-11, which was released by the WHO in 2018 and went into effect in January 2022, brings a range of improvements over its predecessor, ICD-10. These include:
- Expanded Scope: ICD-11 includes more than 55,000 codes, offering greater specificity and coverage for various diseases, conditions, and treatments.
- Improved Digital Compatibility: It is designed for ease of use in electronic health records (EHR) systems, making it more compatible with digital health technologies.
- Updated Terminology: The new version aligns better with the latest scientific understanding of diseases and health conditions, reflecting modern medical practices.
Given that the U.S. healthcare system has long used ICD-10, there has been anticipation that the country would eventually adopt ICD-11, in line with global standards and innovations. However, the question remains: what impact will the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO have on this transition?
The U.S. and the ICD-11 Transition: Challenges and Delays
While the U.S. remains one of the largest global contributors to healthcare research, the country’s historical reluctance to quickly embrace changes proposed by international organizations like the WHO has led to delays in adopting new revisions of ICD. These delays were evident with the switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10, which took place in 2015—years after many other countries had already made the transition.
The U.S. departure from the WHO could further complicate matters when it comes to transitioning to ICD-11. Some of the potential impacts include:
Reduced Global Collaboration and Coordination: Without the WHO’s leadership, the U.S. may face challenges in coordinating with other countries and international bodies on public health initiatives. ICD-11, a global standard, requires cross-border collaboration for effective implementation and updates. The lack of engagement with the WHO may slow down U.S. involvement in ongoing updates to the ICD system.
Policy and Legal Uncertainty: The WHO plays a key role in establishing global public health policies, and the U.S.’s disengagement may lead to uncertainty about how the country will align with international health initiatives. For example, the U.S. may decide to use its own modified version of ICD-11, which could create discrepancies in reporting and data sharing across borders.
Slow Transition Process: U.S. healthcare organizations, including hospitals, insurance companies, and medical providers, are already grappling with the complexities of transitioning to ICD-10. Moving to ICD-11 could require significant investments in training, technology upgrades, and process changes. The lack of WHO oversight might delay the necessary support structures and training resources that other WHO member nations would have access to.
Potential Disconnect in Disease Surveillance: The U.S. plays a vital role in global disease surveillance, and the use of a different version of ICD could limit its ability to share disease data effectively with other countries. As countries worldwide move to ICD-11, this fragmentation could create barriers in tracking the spread of diseases, especially those that are transnational in nature, such as COVID-19, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
The Road Ahead: Can the U.S. Adapt?
Although the U.S. has historically maintained a degree of independence in healthcare decisions, the global nature of modern medicine and the increasing importance of international cooperation in tackling pandemics and emerging diseases mean that the country may eventually have to adopt ICD-11 for practical and economic reasons.
Health Data Standardization: In a globalized world, where diseases cross borders rapidly, standardized health data systems are essential. ICD-11’s alignment with cutting-edge medical research and its potential for improved interoperability with international systems might ultimately compel the U.S. to adopt it, even without the WHO’s guidance.
Private Sector Influence: Many private sector organizations and health IT vendors in the U.S. have already begun to incorporate ICD-11 into their systems, recognizing the value of being aligned with global standards. This momentum could help drive the U.S. toward ICD-11 adoption, regardless of the country’s relationship with the WHO.
The United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization has created a complex landscape for the country’s healthcare system, including the transition from ICD-10 to ICD-11. While the departure may introduce delays, uncertainties, and challenges in global health coordination, the pressure to adopt ICD-11 could come from the need to remain competitive in global healthcare standards and maintain effective disease surveillance systems. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the U.S. may find that embracing ICD-11, despite its disengagement from the WHO, is essential for keeping pace with international medical practices and enhancing the effectiveness of its own healthcare system
ICD-11 Explained: Impact on Medical Coding & Healthcare https://codingclarified.com/icd-11/