Implementation of the diagnosis and procedure codes in the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases has been put off for another year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Aug. 24.
Many hospitals and physicians have expressed deep concern that they would not be able to meet the Oct. 1, 2013, deadline for using ICD-10. In April, the federal agency said in a proposed rule that it would delay compliance by a year; the final decision was announced in a rule that primarily establishes a standard unique identifier for health plans to help smooth payment transactions for hospitals and physicians.
"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," CMS officials wrote.
