Through’ date is the key.
It may seem basic, but losing track of the dates of service in relation to your diagnosis codes can slow your cash flow now that ICD-10 is in effect.
“A claim cannot contain both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes,” stresses HHH Medicare Administrative Contractor National Government Services in an email to providers. “The Medicare claims processing systems do not have the capability to accept … claims that contain both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes,” explains HHH MAC Palmetto GBA on its website.
Pay attention: “For dates of service prior to or on 9/30/2015, continue to submit claims with the appropriate ICD-9 codes regardless of the actual date of claim submission,” NGS instructs. Remember, for HHA claims the “through” date determines the date of service and whether you use ICD-9 or ICD-10 codes (see Eli’s HCW, Vol. XXIV, No. 32). Since hospice claims are always split by month, the claim’s “from” date determines which coding set you use.