CMA and AMA announce help for ICD-10 deadline

PARCA eNews – July 26, 2015 – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Medical Association (AMA) have announced in a press release increased flexibility regarding claims auditing and quality reporting. They have also released links to additional guidance in the announcement that details efforts to help physicians prepare for the Oct. 1, 2015 cut-off.

Here are some highlights from the press release:

• In accordance with the coming transition, the Medicare claims processing systems will not have the capability to accept ICD-9 codes for dates of services after Sept. 30, 2015, nor will they be able to accept claims for both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes.
• The CMS is setting up an ICD-10 communications and coordination center, learning from best practices of other large technology implementations that will be in place to identify and resolve issues arising from the ICD-10 transition.
• Sending a letter in July to all Medicare fee-for-service providers encouraging ICD-10 readiness and notifying them of these flexibilities.
• Completing the final window of Medicare end-to-end testing for providers this July.
• Offering ongoing Medicare acknowledgement testing for providers through Sept. 30.
• Providing additional in-person training through the “Road to 10” for small physician practices.
• Hosting an MLN Connects National Provider Call on Aug. 27.

The release provided links for ICD-10 resources including training videos and guidelines, in addition to AMA help.