ICD-10 delay: Proceed with caution, experts advise

Overall, the CMS accepted 89% of the test claims, below the normal average Medicare claims acceptance rates of 95% to 98%.

Negative testing – the purposeful submission of error-filled claims to force a rejection – could be one reason for the lower acceptance rate, according to Niall Brennan, acting director of the CMS Offices of Enterprise Management.

While physicians and other providers can submit claims for acknowledgement testing anytime up to the implementation date, Mr. Brennan recommended waiting until after Oct. 6, 2014, when Medicare updates its systems.

Physicians should contact their local Medicare Administrative Contractor for information on acknowledgement testing, according to the CMS.

mschneider@frontlinemedcom.com

On Twitter @maryellenny