CMS is expected to publish new ICD-10 codes in late April or early May, according to Laurie Johnson, an American Health Information Management Association-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer.
Here are key deadlines to note, as published on ICD10 Monitor.
1. The deadline has passed for feedback on the ICD-10-PCS codes presented March 6. CMS will review written comments before making final decisions on new inpatient procedure codes for the 2019 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.
2. The public written comments on the March ICD-10-CM proposals are due May 11. Comments on those proposals should be submitted to nchsicd10cm@cdc.gov.
3. After that deadline passes, the CDC will review public verbal comments and written comments before deciding on new diagnostic codes for the 2020 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, 2019.
The CDC must coordinate ICD-10-CM updates with WHO's changes to ICD-10. ICD-10-PCS originates in the U.S. and is under CMS's control, so procedure requests are processed faster than diagnostic requests.
4. CMS is gearing up to release the proposed rule for the Inpatient Prospective Payment System, which establishes updates to Medicare payment systems, Reed Smith reports. Updates to Medicare payment systems are typically released as early as April.
5. The IPPS proposed rule will include potential new technology add-on payments, or NTAP, for Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Groups. NTAP is typically captured through ICD-10-PCS codes.
6. July 13 is the upcoming deadline for new codes or code revision requests.
The agenda for the Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting Sept. 11 to 12 will be published in August. The agenda will include potential new codes for diagnoses and procedures.
7. The CDC and CMS publish final addendum for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS in June. The FY19 ICD-10-CM codes will be made available on the CDC website, and the FY19 ICD-10-PCS codes will be published on the CMS website.
8. Education on new codes should be completed before Oct. 1, according to Ms. Johnson. She advises coders to be aware of NTAP and the documentation supporting the new codes.