The ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee is discussing proposals for procedure and diagnosis code topics March 6 and 7 at the CMS Auditorium in Baltimore. Here are eight things to know about the committee meeting and how to submit input.
1. The ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee meets in March and September and serves an advisory role on coding modifications. The public can attend meetings in person with registration, through dial-in access or via webcast.
2. During the meetings, CMS staff presents coding modification proposals and leads discussions of possible code revisions.
3. ICD-10-PCS topics on the meeting agenda for March 6 include Endovascular Thrombectomy of Intracranial and Extracranial Arteries; Spinal Fusion with Hydroxyapatite Enhanced Interbody Fusion Device; and Partial Knee Joint Replacement. There are 14 topics planned for discussion.
4. No decisions are made at the meetings. CMS makes final decisions on procedures and the National Center for Health Statistics makes final decisions on diagnoses at a later time.
5. After meetings, the public may submit recommendations and comments that will be reviewed and evaluated before final decisions are made. The deadline for public comments following this year's spring meeting is April 6.
6. Decisions made after the March meeting will be implemented in October. Decisions made after the fall meeting will go into effect Oct. 1 of next year, but codes deemed necessary for new technology may be implemented in April 2019.
7. Anyone interested in suggesting a new code or revision to CMS must submit a proposal by July 13 for discussion at the fall meeting. Proposals should address why current ICD-10-PCS codes don't adequately capture the procedure, provide background on procedures and recommend possible new or revised code options.
8. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11 to 12. Online registration opens Aug. 3.