Orthopedic Coding Alert
CMS Solidifies 2015 Date, Clarifies Testing
The agency also offers an alternative claim submission method.
Although the latest ICD-10 implementation date was proposed as Oct. 1, 2015, it wasn’t set in stone — until now. On July 31, CMS announced that the 2015 date has been finalized as the deadline for ICD-10 implementation. After Sept. 30, 2015, ICD-9 codes will no longer be accepted.
Because the date has already been pushed back several times, many providers are already prepared for the transition, but should continue to stay on top of ICD-10 changes and updates as the 2015 date gets closer. In addition, CMS advises practices to participate in any ICD-10 testing opportunities to ensure that they are compliant and prepared.
All of the Part B MAC claims processing systems are currently ready for ICD-10, CMS says in MLN Matters article SE1409. In addition, CMS tests its ICD-10 software every time a quarterly release is issued. On the provider side, CMS will offer three separate testing weeks for ICD-10 acknowledgement. These will take place in November 2014, March 2015, and June 2015. If you’d like to participate in the testing, visit your MAC’s website. CMS will also offer end-to-end testing opportunities to select practices, but have not yet announced the dates or how to volunteer.
CMS Offers Alternative for Unprepared
On the off-chance that your practice’s software isn’t ready to convert to ICD-10 next October, CMS has a potential solution for you. “If you will not be able to complete the necessary systems changes to submit claims with ICD-10 codes by October 1, 2015, you should investigate downloading the free billing software that CMS offers via their MAC websites,” CMS says in its MLN Matters article. “The software has been updated to support ICD-10 codes and requires an internet connection. This billing software only works for submitting FFS claims to Medicare. It is intended to provide submitters with an ICD-10 compliant claims submission format; it does not provide coding assistance,” CMS adds.
Resource: To read MLN Matters article SE1409, visit www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1409.pdf.
Orthopedic Coding Alert
- Foot:
Optimize Your Lisfranc Op Note With This Advice Before You Code Another Claim
If your Medicare carrier requires modifier 76 instead of 59, here’s what to do. When [...] - Separate Procedures:
2 Examples Sharpen Your Separate Procedure Claims
CCI is an important tool when you are not sure about a bundle. You shouldn’t [...] - Know the Rules Before You Jump at 59
Although you shouldn’t be afraid to use modifier 59 when the medical necessity and documentation [...] - Clip-and-Save Bonus:
Pinpoint Your Place-of-Service Coding With This List
This list will direct you to your most common POS code. Choosing the correct place-of-service [...] - News You Can Use:
CMS Solidifies 2015 Date, Clarifies Testing
The agency also offers an alternative claim submission method. Although the latest ICD-10 implementation date [...] - ICD-10:
Focus on Laterality for These Sciatica Equivalents
Don’t overlook this Excludes1 Note. Sciatica means the patient presents with compression to the sciatic [...] - You Be the Coder:
Navigate This Liner Exchange Scenario
Question: Our surgeon plans to perform an arthroscopy and a liner exchange of a previous total [...] - Reader Question:
Does a Consult Have to Specify a Name? Find Out
Question: How specific must a non-Medicare consult request be? I know there must be a specific [...] - Reader Question:
Draw the Line Between Post-Op Brace Fitting and Education
Question: Can my physician bill for a fitting and education of a brace during the postoperative [...] - Reader Question:
Hone in on This Knee Hematoma CPT® Code
Question: My orthopedist evacuated a hematoma at the prepatellar bursa on the left knee. He made [...] - Reader Question:
Include Volar Plate Repair in 26370
Question: Our orthopedic surgeon repaired a patient’s flexor pollicus longus (FPL) tendon and also repaired the [...]
