Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Plus: Keep anti-kickback statute top of mind when setting up a practice.

If you were concerned about the proposed ICD-10 implementation date of Oct. 1, 2011, take heart. CMS has extended that date by two years, according to a recently-published HHS final rule.

You'll have to ensure compliance with ICD-10 by the effective date of Oct. 1, 2013, according to a Jan. 15 HHS press release.

The new edition of the ICD manual will expand the code set from 17,000 codes, which ICD-9-CM currently has, to over 155,000 codes, which ICD-10 includes.

"HHS received more than 3,000 comments on the ICD-10 proposed rule, and support for transition to the ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS is strong throughout the healthcare industry," said Kerry Weems, acting CMS administrator, in the Jan. 15 press release.

To read more about the ICD-10 implementation, visit www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-00743_PI.pdf.