Pulmonology Coding Alert

The agency also offers way out for the latecomers.

Although the latest ICD-10 implementation date was proposed as Oct. 1, 2015, it wasn’t set in stone—until now. On July 31, CMS announced that the 2015 date has been finalized as the deadline for ICD-10 implementation. After Sept. 30, 2015, ICD-9 codes will no longer be accepted.

Because the date has already been pushed back several times, many providers are already prepared for the transition, but should continue to stay on top of ICD-10 changes and updates as the 2015 date gets closer. In addition, CMS advises practices to participate in any ICD-10 testing opportunities to ensure that they are compliant and prepared.

All of the Part B MAC claims processing systems are currently ready for ICD-10, CMS says in MLN Matters article SE1409. In addition, CMS tests its ICD-10 software every time a quarterly release is issued. On the provider side, CMS will offer three separate testing weeks for ICD-10 acknowledgement. These will take place in November 2014, March 2015, and June 2015. If you’d like to participate in the testing, visit your MAC’s website. CMS will also offer end-to-end testing opportunities to select practices, but have not yet announced the dates or how to volunteer.

CMS Offers Alternative for Unprepared

On the off-chance that your practice’s software isn’t ready to convert to ICD-10 next October, CMS has a potential solution for you. “If you will not be able to complete the necessary systems changes to submit claims with ICD-10 codes by October 1, 2015, you should investigate downloading the free billing software that CMS offers via their MAC websites,” CMS says in its MLN Matters article. “The software has been updated to support ICD-10 codes and requires an internet connection. This billing software only works for submitting FFS claims to Medicare. It is intended to provide submitters with an ICD-10 compliant claims submission format; it does not provide coding assistance,” CMS adds.

Resource: To read MLN Matters article SE1409, visit www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1409.pdf.

Get Your Feet Wet

If you haven’t already begun to dig into the ICD-10 code set, the confirmed datewill give you the impetus to prepare.

If you’re an experienced coder, you can probably find your way around your ICD-9 coding manual with your eyes closed. But ICD-10 reorganizes many codes so you’ll need to start learning a new route.

Each ICD-10 code begins with a letter and these letters indicate the tabular chapter from which the code comes. This humorous memory tool from Lisa Selman-Holman, JD, BSN, RN, HCS-D, COS-C, HCS-O, consultant and principal of Selman-Holman & Associates and CoDR — Coding Done Right in Denton, Texas will help you to become acquainted with ICD-10’s organization. 

A & B — Infectious and Parasitic Diseases = Anti-Biotics
C — Neoplasms = Cancer
D — Neoplasms and Blood and Blood-Forming Organs = Darn! More Neoplasms and Disorders of the Blood
E — Endocrine, Nutritional, and Metabolic
F — Mental and Behavior Disorders = Freud
G — Nervous System = Ganglion
H — Eye and Adnexa, Ear and Mastoid Process = Hearing
I — Circulatory System = Ischemia
J — Respiratory System = Junk in your lungs
K — Digestive System = Special K (fiber is good for your digestive system)
L — Skin and Subcutaneous = Lovely skin
M — Musculoskeletal 
N — Genitourinary = Naughty parts
O — Pregnancy, Childbirth and Puerperium = Obstetrics
P — Perinatal Period
Q — Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities = Quirky conditions
R — Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical and Laboratory Findings = Should be coded Rarely
S & T — Injury, Poisoning and Certain Other Consequences of External Causes = Strychnine and Trauma
V, W, X, Y — External Causes of Morbidity= Victims of Violence and Accident
Z — Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services = Codes of last resort. Appropriately, the last letter of the alphabet. 

Because ICD-9 updates have been frozen in anticipation of ICD-10 implementation in Oct. 2014, you may be wondering about possible new changes to ICD-9.As per the latest updates, due to the final announcement of new ICD-10 compliance date, the ICD-9 code freeze will obviously be carried over through October 1, 2015.