Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Plus: Keep Weekend in Mind for 5010 Transition.

The American Medical Association (AMA) has made no secret of the fact that it is less than enthralled with the proposition of adopting ICD-10 as the new diagnosis coding system. Not only did the AMA's House of Delegates vote last year to repeal ICD-10 (which CMS did not adopt), but the group also applauded the news earlier this year that ICD-10 would be delayed from its original implementation date of 2013.

Now the AMA has taken additional steps to express its disillusionment with ICD-10, announcing on June 19 that its House of Delegates adopted a policy to evaluate ICD-11 as a potential "alternative" to replace ICD-9 , an AMA news release noted.

"ICD-10 coding will create unnecessary and significant financial and administrative burdens for physicians," said AMA President-elect Ardis Dee Hoven, MD in a June 19 statement. "It is critical to evaluate alternatives to ICD-9 that will make for a less cumbersome transition for physicians and allow physicians to focus on their primary priority - patient care. AMA voted today to consider ICD-11 as a possible alternative. The policy also asks the AMA and other stakeholders, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to examine other options."

CMS has not yet responded to the AMA's news. Keep an eye on the Insider for more on this story.