Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

The fact that ICD-10 won’t take effect until next year is no matter for local MACs, which are quite eager to let you test out your claims using the new diagnosis codes. That way, you’ll work out any kinks in your ICD-10 coding skills and your software before Oct. 1, 2015. The first round of end-to-end testing will take place between Jan. 26 and Jan. 30, and MACs have already started accepting applications from practices who want to participate.

Each MAC will choose 50 participants, which will be chosen among different provider types, claim types and submitter types, according to Part B Mac NGS Medicare. If you apply with your MAC now, you’ll be notified about whether you were chosen by Oct. 24.

Once the testing commences in January, you will be able to submit mock claims using dates of service Oct. 1, 2015 through Oct. 15, 2015, and you’ll be able to submit 50 claims for which you’ll receive standard remittance advice. 

Practices who want to participate should be sure that they are already electronically submitting claims and have active Medicare submission identification numbers. In addition, you need to have software that’s compatible with ICD-10, and your software should be able to accommodate dates in the future (since the dates of service you’ll be submitting will be Oct. 2015 dates). 

If you’d like to apply for the program, check your MAC’s website for the application. Most applications close on Oct. 3, 2014.