ICD-10 Preparation

The Department of Health and Human Services has finalized its ruling to make October 1, 2015 the new dead- line for the switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10. To prepare for this change, HCA has already published coding tips and updates to the blog (see ICD-10 category), but we have delayed publishing further information due to the new effective date.

Over the next few months, HCA will continue our preparations for ICD-10 by creating and refining custom sample superbills. In the spring, we will submit these superbills to your office to obtain feedback regarding the selected codes, and we will re-publish our informational articles for your review. Success with ICD-10 relies on clear and detailed coding, as the diagnosis codes will be much more specific than ICD-9. This will require sound understanding of the coding system by all physicians. Accordingly, we recommend that providers and their staff search out educational opportunities for ICD-10 over the next few months.

Once we have finalized superbills for your use next summer, we will request that you submit practice charges (coding actual patients using both your ICD-9 and ICD-10 superbills). This will give us an opportunity to assess the accuracy of the codes and effectiveness of the superbills, and help us work out any issues prior to the October deadline.

At HCA, we will be working throughout the winter to continue our preparation for next year. If you have any questions regarding ICD-10 preparation in the meantime, please feel free to contact us.