Will We See ICD-10 in 2015?
We all geared up for the ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation in
October 2014. Hospitals and others spent
millions of dollars training staff and getting systems ready to handle the
implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS. Coders
spent hours training to become proficient in using ICD-10-CM/PCS and physicians
attended education sessions to learn how ICD-10-CM/PCS would affect them and
what was required of their documentation in medical records. Students were
prepared to code ICD-10-CM/PCS and then struggled with learning ICD-9-CM/PCS. Most
everyone was ready for the implementation and anxious to begin this new chapter
in coding.
To everyone’s surprise, word came earlier this year that
congress had delayed the implementation of ICD-10-CM/PCS. Immediately AHIMA went to work to get
questions answered regarding the delay and began a campaign to pressure CMS to finalize
a date for implementation of ICD-10 CM/PCS.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did issue a rule
finalizing October 1, 2015; the new compliance date for health care providers,
health plans, and health care clearinghouses to transition to ICD-10-CM/PCS.
What can you do to help see that
ICD-10-CM/PCS is implemented October 1, 2015?
AHIMA has sent several emails encouraging members to write their Congressman
or woman and express their support for the new ICD-10-CM/PCS date. Additionally, let Congress know that
the code sets must be implemented to improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. The more HIM
professionals get involved and educate others on the importance of ICD-10-CM/PCS
implementation, the stronger the message to CMS that we support ICD-10-CM/PCS
implementation and that we believe there should be no more delays.
Stephanie Selsor CCS, CCS-P
