ICD-10 updates for LCDs, articles due by April 10, 2014
September 10th, 2013 -
Scott Kraft
Take out your ICD-10 implementation plan and write down the date of April 10, 2014. That’s the day that CMS has instructed its Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to publish all of the updated local coverage determinations (LCDs) that need to have ICD-10-CM codes replace ICD-9 codes. Any accompanying articles are also supposed to be updated by that date.
The deadline is being set in April to give you sufficient time to update your payment systems to accommodate the new codes. One thing to think about doing to get ready is to isolate the LCDs for the codes your practice uses most often.
We’ve all learned over the years that setting a deadline and meeting a deadline are two different things. CMS didn’t give them interim deadlines, so it’s entirely possible you could get hit with a slew of new LCDs to review starting on April 10. The change is detailed in a CMS transmittal released on September 6, which we’ve attached to this story.
CMS directs that all LCDs and articles be renumbered as part of this change, so even those without ICD-10 codes will need to be updated, though the MACs have until Sept. 4 for that set to be published. CMS warns the MACs that they may need to update Medicare Summary Notices to reflect the new LCD identification numbers in the event you need to find them.
Finally, when the only change the MAC is making to the LCD and/or article is to replace the relevant ICD-9 codes with the ICD-10 codes, the LCD and article do not need to be reviewed by the Carrier Advisory Committee nor be submitted for public comment because these are considered coding changes that don’t alter the intent of the policy when it comes to coverage or non-coverage, CMS states.
Should the MAC decide to make any other changes, however, the LCD would be subject to CAC and public review.
###
Questions, comments?
If you have questions or comments about this article please contact us. Comments that provide additional related information may be added here by our Editors.
Latest articles: (any category)
Code Sequencing Chapter 15 OB VisitsFebruary 13th, 2023 - Chris WoolstenhulmeSometimes payer guidelines differ from the official guidelines, this can be confusing, let’s look at a sequencing priority for example in Chapter 15: Pregnancy, childbirth, and the Puerperium (o00-o9A). the guidelines tell us how to code based on the provider's documentation, in addition, it is important to know Chapter 15 codes are never to be used on newborn records, only on the maternal record. Find-A-Code will sequence codes according to the ICD-10-CM guidelines first.
Is the End Really Near?February 7th, 2023 - Chris WoolstenhulmeWhat happens once the COVID-19 emergency declarations have ended?
Will 2023 Be the Year of Outsourced Medical Billing?February 3rd, 2023 - Find-A-CodeMany healthcare providers have chosen to keep medical coding and billing in-house. From HIPAA compliance to the complexity of ICD-10 codes, it has just been easier to keep track of things by not outsourcing medical billing or coding. But things are changing. So much so that 2023 could be the year that outsourced services finally take over.
Three Things To Know When Reporting Prolonged Services in 2023January 31st, 2023 - Aimee WilcoxThe Evaluation and Management (E/M) changes made in 2021 and again in 2023 brought about new CPT codes and guidelines for reporting prolonged services. Just as Medicare disagreed with CPT in the manner in which prolonged service times should be calculated, they did so again with the new 2023 changes. Here are three things you should know when reporting prolonged services for all E/M services.
The Curious Relationship Between CPT Codes and Actual TreatmentsJanuary 30th, 2023 - Find-A-CodeCommon sense seems to dictate that medical billing codes, like CPT codes for example, are only considered after medical treatment has been provided. After all, the codes are simply a representation of diagnosed conditions and treatment services provided – for billing purposes. But there is a curious relationship between these codes and actual treatments.
Why Medical Billing Codes Are Critical To Healthcare DeliveryJanuary 30th, 2023 - Find-A-CodeMedical coders play a critical role in determining how healthcare delivery is reported for record keeping and billing purposes. Likewise, the codes they know so well are equally critical. They have been around for decades. They were originally developed and implemented to make reporting and billing easier in a healthcare system that was becoming incredibly more complex. The system is even more complex today.
Why Knowing Medical Terminology Makes Coding EasierJanuary 27th, 2023 - Find-A-CodeYou are excited about beginning your training as a professional medical coder. You're expecting to pass the exam and earn your certification. The future is looking bright until, as you are perusing the educational material, you suddenly realize you're going to have to learn medical terminology.
