NCMS Files Comments Supporting Delay in ICD-10 Implementation

There’s one thing about ICD-10 that is generally accepted: implementation–if it ever happens–is going to be a challenge. Physicians, medical group managers and others tasked with using the coding system have been sounding alarms about this issue for years. In response to these genuine concerns, DHHS officials announced on February 14, 2012 at the AMA Advocacy Conference, that they would once again delay the compliance date for ICD-10 coding until October 1, 2014, one year beyond the current compliance date.

On April 17, 2012, DHHS published proposed regulations to accomplish the delay, among other things. The NCMS filed comments yesterday supporting the proposed delay in the compliance date for ICD-10 coding until October 1, 2014. The proposal to delay was aggressively sought by the AMA and other entities within organized medicine. The time and resources are not available to focus on implementation of ICD-10, making compliance impracticable and potentially quite harmful to the health care system. It is doubtful that October 1, 2014 will allow enough time to ensure a smooth transition.     

For more information and updates regarding ICD-10, click here.

 
 

Share this Post