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