CMS launches new online ICD-10 implementation guide September 20, 2013 General CMS, ICD-10, Practice Management 0 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently launched an online ICD-10 implementation guide to help practices of all sizes successfully make the switch to the new ICD-10 coding system, which is used to report medical diagnoses and inpatient procedures. Physicians and payors must begin using the new code sets by October 1, 2014. ICD-10 (The International Classification of Disease tenth revision) is a system of coding created in 1992 as the successor to the previous ICD-9 system. ICD-10 will include new procedures and diagnoses, which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS hopes will improve the quality of information available for quality improvement and payment purposes. The differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10 are significant. Physicians and practice management staff need to start educating themselves now about this major change so that they will be able to meet the October 1, 2014, compliance deadline. The transition to ICD-10 is required for everyone covered by the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA). Please note, the change to ICD-10 does not affect CPT coding for outpatient procedures and physician services. CMS's new web-based tool includes a basic overview of ICD-10 as well as step-by-step guidance on how to transition to ICD-10 for small/medium practices, large practices, small hospitals and payors. Users can easily navigate to the information that is most relevant to them—wherever they are in the implementation process. To access the online guide and other CMS resources and tools to help with the ICD-10 transition, visit http://cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/ProviderResources.html. To assist physicians in preparing for the transition to ICD-10, CMA has partnered with AAPC to provide CMA members with a complete suite of ICD-10 educational courses at steeply discounted rates. For more information click here. Comments are closed.
