Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Physician Notes:

New ICD-10 Implementation Date Oct. 1, 2015, IPPS Says

Plus: This hospital faces a steep fine for giving cardiology group preferential treatment.

Although it was over a month ago that Congress voted to extend the ICD-10 implementation date, CMS has been strangely mum on the topic, which was puzzling to many providers who were eager to find out when they’ll have to start using ICD-10 codes. However, a new proposed rule seems to suggest that the implementation date was pushed back by exactly one year.

As of press time, CMS has not made an official statement about the new implementation date, but the 2015 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule cites Oct. 1, 2015 as the new ICD-10 implementation date in several different spots. “The ICD-10-CM/PCS transition is scheduled to take place on October 1, 2015,” the proposed rule states on page 648. In addition, the document refers to the 2015 date in two other instances as well. 

Although CMS has not yet updated its website to reflect this new date announcement, it’s likely that the agency will do so soon to align with the IPPS proposal. Keep an eye on the Insider for more as the ICD-10 date is confirmed by CMS officials in the coming days.