ICD-10 Deadline Reset for October 1, 2015

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has just issued a final rule that finalizes Oct. 1, 2015, as the new compliance date for health care providers, health plans and health care clearinghouses to transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10.  According to Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator, Marilyn Tavenner, the new “ICD-10 codes will provide better support for patient care, and improve disease management, quality measurement and analytics.”  HHS also points out that implementation of ICD-10 codes will better detect and prevent fraud waste and abuse and lead to greater accuracy of reimbursement for medical services.  AHCA will provide a more in-depth analysis of the final rule; but wanted to get this information out tonight.  To obtain a copy of the press release go to http://cms.hhs.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-releases/2014-Press-releases-items/2014-07-31.html.  To obtain a copy of the final rule go to https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-18347.pdf (Note, this final rule has not been published in the Federal Register yet; but is expected to be printed on Monday, August 4, 2014).  To obtain additional information about ICD-10 go to http://www.cms.gov/ICD10.

CMS also released revised MLN Matters articles to follow the reset deadline of October 1, 2015. Those articles are as follows:

MM8350 – Diagnosis Code Reporting on Religious Nonmedical Health Care Institution Claims
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM8350.pdf

MM8494 – Changes to the Laboratory National Coverage Determination (NCD) Software for ICD-10 Codes
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/MM8494.pdf

SE1240 – Partial Code Freeze Prior to ICD-10 Implementation
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1240.pdf

SE1408 – Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Claims Processing Guidance for Implementing International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10) – A Re-Issue of MM7492
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1408.pdf

SE1410 – Special Instructions for the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification 10th Edition (ICD-10-CM) Coding on Home Health Episodes that Span October 1, 2015
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1410.pdf