With the arrival of the Oct. 1 implementation deadline for ICD-10, you need to be sure your practice can take care of any claims processing issues that result from using the new code set. One place offers a simple way to report complaints and provides free resources that can help ease your transition.
File complaints
The AMA’s ICD-10 Web page allows you to report any issues your practice is experiencing with how Medicare is processing claims now that the ICD-10 code set is in effect.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in July that the AMA had secured flexibilities for physicians to make the transition to ICD-10 less disruptive. One of those provisions was for CMS to establish a communication center to monitor issues and an ICD-10 ombudsman devoted to triaging physician issues.
The CMS ICD-10 Communication Center, headquartered in Baltimore, began operating at the end of September. William Rogers, MD, an emergency physician who heads CMS’ Physician Regulatory Issues Team, has assumed the role of ombudsman.
Simply complete this email form to make sure CMS sees your Medicare complaint.
Get help implementing the new code set
Your practice likely has spent weeks, months or even years preparing for the ICD-10 transition, but you still may find kinks to iron out along the way. The ICD-10 Web page offers access to a variety of helpful resources, including:
- An ICD-10 checklist
- A tip sheet series that gives pointers on everything from documentation to payment changes and cash flow interruptions
- A fact sheet series that covers what you need to know for ICD-10 implementation in your practice, crosswalking between ICD-9 and ICD-10, and other important details
- CMS’ “Road to 10” collection of tools and webcasts designed for small practices
Learn the latest developments
Stay abreast of the latest ICD-10 news at AMA Wire®. We’ll provide frequent updates about how implementation of the new code set is going and key developments you need to be aware of.
In the meantime, make sure you know whether you can trust ICD-10 code mapping tools and get insights about last-minute steps you can take to get your practice up to speed.
