News: Changes proposed for ICD-10, CMS invites comments from the public

CMS hosted an ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting last week to discuss proposed updates to ICD-10-CM/PCS for implementation on October 1, 2018, according to Revenue Cycle Advisor.

The first day of the meeting was devoted to modifications to ICD-10-PCS and led by CMS. The second day was devoted to ICD-10-CM updates and led by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This year’s list of suggestions is significantly shorter than in years past, with 16 requested PCS codes and 25 requested CM codes, according to ICD10Monitor.

New pediatric codes took center stage, during the ICD-10-CM portion including discussion of codes for cyclical vomiting syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndromes, history of prematurity, and sickle cell disease.

Providers have until April 6 to submit comments on code proposals made during the meetings, Revenue Cycle Advisor reported. Other important dates in the code process include:  

• April (day to be decided), the IPPS proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register. It will include 2019 ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes, and proposed revisions to the MS-DRG system based on ICD-10-CM/PCS codes. The proposed rule will be found here.
• July 13, the deadline for submitting topics for review at the September 11-12 Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting.
• August 1, IPPS final rule to be published in the Federal Register.
• August 3, online registration opens for the September 11-12, 2018 ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting.
• October 1, additions and revisions to ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes go into effect along with DRG changes.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Revenue Cycle Advisor. To watch the recordings of last week’s meetings, click here. To see the agenda from last week’s meetings, click here. To read about the 2018 IPPS final rule, click here.