AAPC opposes ICD-9 freeze prior to ICD-10 implementation
On its Web site, the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) states that it does not support a freeze to ICD-9-CM coding updates prior to the October 1, 2013 implementation of ICD-10.
In a statement directed to members of the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, which met in Baltimore September 16 and 17, the AAPC stated that because medical science is continually evolving, the committee should limit any suspension of updates to diagnostic coding so it does not affect reporting accuracy.
However, the association does support a freeze to changes to ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS beginning October 1, 2012. According to the AAPC statement:
Because all users will be setting up entirely new systems to accommodate ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS in the year(s) prior to implementation, AAPC supports a freeze on changes to the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code sets beginning Oct. 1, 2012 (one year prior to implementation) and continuing until Oct. 1, 2014 (one year following implementation). This will provide a 24-month hiatus from any changes to the new system, which will ease the burden of adoption for all participants.
What do you think about a potential code freeze? Would it help or hurt? Post a comment on ICD-10 Watch!
About the Author: Doreen V. Bentley, CPC-A, is the Managing Editor of JustCoding.com, which provides coders, coding supervisors, and health information management (HIM) directors with educational resources to test their coding knowledge, employ correct coding guidelines, and stay abreast of CMS transmittals.
Susan Beever | Oct 6, 2009 | Reply
I really don’t understand the logic of not freezing ICD-9the year prior to implementation in favor of freezing ICD-10 the year prior to implementation? You still have the reporting accuracy problems.
Also, there is no reason that the ICD-10 system should not be as up to date as possible when implemented in 2013.
And again, if there is concern about reporting accuracy due to evolving Medical science, why would you want to freeze ICD-12 in 2014 when everyone has had a year to get used to the system?