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Coders weigh in on potential freeze of coding systems
In a previous blog, I discussed how CMS was considering freezing updates to the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10 coding systems prior to the October 1, 2013 implementation. Many in the industry have said that freezing the codes would:
- Make it easier to develop educational materials for the implementation without worrying about updating them each year
- Help vendors develop products
In the ICD-10 final rule, CMS said that it would take this issue to the ICD-9 Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting in September and seek input from various providers and vendors and others regarding the following points:
- Should there be a freeze?
- If so, should it be of both ICD-9 and ICD-10 or one or the other?
- When should the freeze begin? For example, should October 1, 2012 be the last time ICD-9-CM codes and ICD-10-CM and PCS codes are updated? Or should a freeze be established as early as 2011?
We polled JustCoding News subscribers in June, and we wanted share the results.
Should CMS freeze updates to ICD-9 codes, ICD-10 codes, or both prior to ICD-10 implementation? This is the breakdown of the 179 responses:
- ICD-9 codes: 22%
- ICD-10 codes: 5%
- Both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes: 33%
- I don’t think CMS needs to freeze updates prior to ICD-10 implementation: 40%
If CMS decides to freeze updates to ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes, when should it implement this freeze? This is the breakdown of the 143 responses:
- October 1, 2011: 44%
- October 1, 2012: 56%
What do you think about a potential freeze of ICD-9 and ICD-10 code updates?
JustCoding.com launches ICD-10 Watch!
Welcome to JustCoding.com’s ICD-10 Watch! The journey to ICD-10 is going to be long and arduous. We hope to build a community on this blog to promote sharing of helpful tips to ease the transition for your facility when ICD-10 takes effect in 2013. We plan to use this venue to help keep you abreast of the latest news and to share implementation strategies. I will update this blog several times each week, so please check back with us regularly. We welcome your comments and questions, so please post soon and post often!
