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ICD-10 Deadline Delay Achieved

3 Responses

1. Grant, on June 9, 2010 at 10:55 AM said:

   CMS Answers Questions About ICD-10

   CMS has posted 11 new frequently asked questions about the implementation of ICD-10 diagnosis codes, which will revolutionize the reporting of diagnoses and procedures.

   “What should coders be doing now to prepare for implementation of ICD-10?” one FAQ asks.

   CMS says coders should learn about the structure, organization, and unique features of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS; plan to provide intensive coder training about six to nine months prior to implementation; do assessments to identify strengths and weaknesses in biomedical sciences; and refresh knowledge of biomedical concepts based on the assessment results.

   To read more, visit http://www.cms.gov/ICD10 and click on “Medicare Fee-for-Service Provider Resources,” and click on “ICD-10-FAQs” under the “Related Links Inside CMS” section.

   Source: Report On Medicare Compliance [6/7/10]

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2. Ann Miller RN MHA, on August 2, 2014 at 11:59 AM said:

   HHS Final Rule Sets ICD-10 Switch for Oct. 1, 2015

   In a final rule issued Thursday afternoon, HHS formally set an Oct. 1, 2015, compliance date for conversion to ICD-10 diagnostic and procedure codes, incorporating the absolute minimum delay imposed by Congress when it ordered HHS to roll back the conversion date previously set for Oct. 1, 2014.

   The issuance of the ICD-10 compliance deadline in a final rule is significant because it accelerates the rule-making process by a step and, in so doing, does not provide for a formal comment period for discussion of the date, according to health information technology consultant Stanley Nachimson, an ICD-10 expert.

   Source: Joseph Conn, Modern Healthcare [8/1/14]

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3. Dreama Sloan-Kelly MD CCS, on March 30, 2015 at 12:21 PM said:

   ICD-10

   All of you know just mentioning the need to improve medical record documentation makes most doctors want to break out and run. Not only are physicians stressed about increased documentation requirements, but support staff is often left frustrated because they are fully aware of the risk of poor documentation. Along with this, they are often at a loss in how to communicate the importance of quality documentation effectively to their physicians.

   Well, if you thought the documentation talk was finally accomplished, and over, you were sadly mistaken. With the upcoming implementation of ICD-10 comes a whole new set of documentation requirements to ensure the most specific diagnosis code is chosen. The rumor is, payors will tier their reimbursement based on the specificity of the ICD-10 diagnosis code billed. This means that you may have percentages shaved off your reimbursement rate because the doctor forgot to document a few words that would have paid your practice 100% of the allowable. All it takes is a little bit of training and guidance to ensure that you are not caught in this conundrum should this rumor prove true.

   As you know there are roughly 13,000 ICD-9 diagnosis codes — ICD-10 will increase this number to over 80,000 codes. That alone is proof that the diagnosis are more specific than they have ever been. This is not necessarily a bad thing because personally I feel ICD-10 diagnosis codes make more sense than ICD-9 codes, clinically – however, it is going to require a change in the mindset for the provider along with the biller/coder. Unlike ICD-9 codes, ICD-10 codes are broken down by category, etiology, anatomic site, and severity. Extensions can also be added for diagnosis dealing with obstetrics and injuries. Major changes will be seen in coding for fractures, obstetrics, injuries, and common ailments.

   In order to prepare your practice for this new documentation demand I recommend the following:

   1. Assess your current documentation issues in the practice – All doctors are not starting off at the same level — some providers will have better documentation than others. Getting doctors ready for ICD-10 should not be a one size fit all approach. If you start where your providers are at — your providers will be more apt to go along with the changes with very little angst.

   2. Make a list of your practice’s most commonly billed ICD-9 codes.

   3. Locate an ICD-10 resource – my favorite is HERE and it is FREE – and cross reference your most commonly used ICD-9 diagnosis codes to ICD-10.

   4. When looking at the ICD-10 diagnosis codes be sure to notice how specific the codes are – do they require right or left, location, severity, information on if this is the first visit or subsequent encounter.

   5. Compare the information gathered in Step 4 to the documentation review in Step 1. In most cases you will find your providers are going to need to be more specific in their documentation in order to choose the most specific ICD-10 code – note there will be some diagnosis codes that will not require any changes in documentation.

   6. Encourage your providers to start documenting now as if they had to choose an ICD-10 code and have them code a few charts accordingly once a month — I recommend 10 charts per month.

   I know I keep saying this, but the transition to ICD-10 is not going to be as horrible as everyone thinks it will be – especially if you have a plan.

   Together we will get through the transition unscathed – with a BIG SMILE.

   Dreama Sloan-Kelly MD CCS

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