Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Published on Fri May 04, 2012 PDF

Practices that have an opinion--either positive or negative--on the proposed new ICD-10 compliance date of Oct. 1, 2014, need to speak their minds by May 17. That's the deadline for submitting comments on the proposal to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Background: As you read in the Insider, Vol. 13 No. 13, HHS has proposed a one-year delay for ICD-10 implementation. Whereas the new diagnosis coding system was to kick into place on Oct. 1, 2013, the new proposal pushes that back to Oct. 1, 2014.

Many medical practices rejoiced at the news of a one-year reprieve, others expressed frustration at the delay, noting that they spent significant amounts of time and money preparing for the imminent compliance date.

Whichever side of the fence you inhabit, you can let HHS know how you feel by sending your comments to the agency by 5:00 pm (Eastern time) on May 17. You can either submit your comments via the Web site (www.regulations.gov) or by regular mail. For additional information on where to send your comments either via mail or electronically, contact editor Torrey Kim, CPC, CGSC, at torreyk@medville.com.