ICD-10-CM grace period ends October 1
Physician Practice Insider, September 6, 2016
CMS’ grace period for reporting families of ICD-10-CM codes is coming to a close. Physician practices have less than a month to ensure billing and coding staff are fully trained and able to select the correct ICD-10-CM code—not merely those within the same family of codes. The agency reminded providers of the approaching deadline in an updated FAQ document released in August.
When ICD-10-CM was launched last year, CMS said it would allow providers billing Part B physician fee schedule codes a one-year grace period to fully ramp up. During the grace period, the agency would not deny physician claims as long as the codes on the claim were from the correct family of codes and met medical necessity. In an FAQ from July 2015, CMS defined a family of codes as the ICD-10-CM three-character category. Codes in a given category are clinically related but capture different specific information about a condition.
After October 1, coders must select codes at the maximum level of specificity as supported by the provider’s documentation. Physician practice coders should review the list of 2016 valid codes and the new codes that will come into effect in 2017.
Related Products
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- FDA says to decrease reuse of devices, CMS removes some blanket waivers
- Don't forget the three checks in medication administration
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- Practice the six rights of medication administration
- Nursing responsibilities for managing pain
- Q&A: Primary, principal, and secondary diagnoses
- The consequences of an incomplete medical record
- Prevent dehydration with nursing interventions
- Steps for maintaining patient privacy
- Know the medical gas cylinder storage requirements
- E-mailed
-
- FDA says to decrease reuse of devices, CMS removes some blanket waivers
- Understand the spine to code back procedures correctly
- Tip: Length of stay has a direct impact on your bottom line
- Refine the terms: Understand unbilled accounts and DNFB
- Q/A: Correct use of modifier -PT
- Q/A: Coding for wound care with no-cost skin substitute
- Q&A: Use yes/no queries to resolve surgical complication questions
- Proper coding for polyp removal
- Expirations on standing orders
- Developing a Fall-Prevention Program
- Searched