DecisionHealth and Delta Health Technologies Team Up to Deliver Interactive ICD-9 Coding Tool

Delta is first reseller; will integrate into software

ROCKVILLE, MD, January 2008 - For the first time, home care clinical professionals will soon be able to access ICD-9-CM code sets, instructional tips and scenarios from their point of care clinical capture device, as well as their back-office billing system. It’s a breakthrough made possible by a joint venture between Delta Health Technologies and DecisionHealth. Under the reseller deal, DecisionHealth’s online, ICD-9 Interactive tool will be incorporated into Delta’s Encore software solution by June 2008.

Unlike other ICD-9 look up programs, DecisionHealth’s ICD-9 Interactive provides valuable coding advice, real-world, home-health specific scenarios, a forum to share best practices and concerns with colleagues, and utilization data for applying home care’s most used codes, all of which help to minimize delays and maximize HHA revenues. The service is particularly beneficial to agencies in light of the recent proposed changes to the PPS regulation, which has made effective coding increasingly important.

“Our VAR relationship with Delta couldn’t have come at a better time given the growing importance of accurate, well-sequenced coding decisions as the home health industry implements PPS,” said Doreen Bieryla, president & CEO, of DecisionHealth, Rockville, Md.

“This partnership is consistent with Delta’s mission of using technology to improve care in the home,” said Keith Crownover, president and CEO of Delta Health Technologies. “Delta is committed to providing its customers with the best in innovative technology to improve the success of their agencies. The ICD-9 tool will allow our customers to have the latest coding updates and announcements at their fingertips. We are thrilled to team with DecisionHealth on this exciting initiative.”

With ICD-9 Interactive, Delta’s Encore users will be able to:

• Anticipate changes in the market. Get the first word on code changes, updates or new interpretations and guidelines.
• Cut coding time and speed reimbursement. Leverage the more than 300 coding tips.
• Quickly search the 17,000+ code set by code number or disease term. Find immediate answers to questions using the site’s powerful search tool.
• Steer clear of common mistakes. Retrieve nearly 300 coding tips, shortcuts and warnings to help clarify clerical terminology and avoid problems.
• Learn from the best. Use the scenarios and benchmarks to better sequence for OASIS.

Both DecisionHealth and Delta are long-standing, respected companies that have been serving the home care industry for a combined 71 years. To learn more about the Delta solution, visit Delta’s Web site at www.deltahealthtech.com. For more information about ICD-9 Interactive, visit www.icd9interactive.com.

About Delta Health Technologies, LLC

Delta Health Technologies, LLC is one of the leading providers of information systems and services for home care entities nationwide. Headquartered in Altoona, Pa., Delta focuses exclusively on providing technology solutions to homecare, hospice, and private duty, which positions the organizations to meet the challenges of today’s health care environment. With more than 30 years of experience, Delta is dedicated to the home care industry and the success of their customers. More information can be obtained by visiting www.deltahealthtech.com.

About Decision Health

DecisionHealth (www.decisionhealth.com), a division of UCG, publishes information services for the home health care, physician office and hospital provider marketplaces. Its more than 35 newletters, as well as hundreds of annual live and audio profesional seminars, cover challenges as wide ranging as Medicare coding and reimbursement, Joint Commission accreditation, benchmarks and payment, and compliance with health care fraud and abuse and HIPAA laws. In the home care marketplace, specifically, DecisionHealth publishes the award-winning Home Health Line, Home Care Outcomes, Diagnosis Coding Pro for Home Health, and Private Duty Insider newsletters as well as Home Care Innovations magazine.