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One-year deadline delay for implementation of ICD-10 codes finalized
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The Department of Health and Human Services recently issued a final rule that delays the deadline for adoption of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, from Oct. 1, 2013 to Oct. 1, 2014.
The ICD-10 codes and original implementation deadline were proposed in 2009. Since then, several provider groups, such as the American Medical Association, have expressed concern about their ability to meet the compliance deadline.
“We believe the change in the compliance date for ICD-10 gives covered health care providers and other covered entities more time to prepare and fully test their systems to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition by all covered entities,” the rule said.
The final rule is scheduled to be implemented on Nov. 5.
“The rule is one of a series of changes required by the Affordable Care Act to cut red tape in the health care system and will save up to $6 billion over 10 years,” according to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services news release.
The rule also establishes a unique health plan identifier (HPID) and other entity identifier (OEID) and adopts an addition to the National Provider Identifier (NPI) requirements.
The HPID and OEID are designed to standardize HIPAA transactions and enable providers to use more automation, especially in the processing of billing and insurance-related tasks, eligibility responses from health plans and remittance advice that describes health care claim payments, the rule said.
The NPI provision specifies when an organization-covered health care provider, such as a hospital, must require certain non-covered health care providers, such as physicians who are prescribers, to obtain and disclose an NPI, the rule said.
NPI requirements were originally established in 2004.