General Surgery Coding Alert

Question: I'm writing to find out whether many of your subscribers have started billing with ICD-10 codes, and if so, are claims successfully processing or are you receiving denials?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: You should not be billing with ICD-10 yet. Payers will not begin accepting ICD-10 codes until Oct. 1, 2013.

To prepare for ICD-10, you can "shadow code" your current claims to determine whether the documentation is sufficient to report conditions using ICD-10, and to test your ability to understand the code set. This means that you'll be randomly selecting claims and internally applying ICD-10 codes for your own edification -- but not to submit to payers.

Once you identify physician documentation pitfalls and coder education issues using ICD-10, you'll have time to train staff for a smooth implementation when the time comes.

Remember: The standard for diagnostic coding for services now through Sept. 30, 2013 remains as ICD-9. No other codes will be accepted. Then, like a switch is thrown, on Oct. 1, 2013, the standard will be ICD-10.

Once Oct. 1, 2013 hits, if you are submitting a claim for a service that took place in September of 2013, you will have to use ICD-9. If the service is for October 1 or thereafter, you have to use ICD-10. For a short period, you will have to keep both code sets active.