ICD-10 FAQs

We have done large-scale internal testing, as well as targeted external testing. Our testing cycles were completed in mid-2015. If you have not yet tested your systems with your clearinghouse and other business partners, you should do so immediately. The compliance date is October 1, 2015.

Inpatient hospital claims without a discharge date (that is, interim bill) will use the earliest claim incurred (ECI) date (earliest date of service). This will be the only determinant of which code set to accept/reject. Interim bills sent with an ECI date on or after October 1, 2015 must be submitted with ICD-10 codes. Interim bills sent with an ECI date before October 1, 2015 must be submitted with ICD-9 codes.

We’ll require split claims for certain office/hospital visits that span the ICD-10 implementation date. You should submit two bills: one with dates of service through September 30, 2015 with ICD-9 codes, and a second for charges on October 1, 2015 and after with ICD-10 codes. For split claims, our system logic and other processes will appropriately handle the review of both claims together.

For other scenarios and recommendations, review MLN Matters® Number SE1325. It includes institutional services split claims billing instructions for Medicare fee-for-service claims that span the ICD-10 implementation date.

Review MLN Matters

There is no industry standard for mapping. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided General Equivalency Mappings (GEMs) as guidance for mapping between ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. We are using GEMs as a clinical equivalence tool to remediate business rules between ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes.

No. As of the compliance date, standard transactions must be submitted with ICD-10 codes. After that date, we will process claims submitted with ICD-9 codes only for dates of service (outpatient/professional) or dates of discharge (inpatient) before the compliance date.

As of the compliance date, we will process claims submitted with ICD-9 codes only for dates of service (outpatient/professional) or dates of discharge (inpatient) before the compliance date.

We will continue to follow communications from the regulatory authorities, and will adapt our approach as permitted.

Yes. We have been accepting the revised form since January 6, 2014. We will continue to accept and process paper claims submitted on the CMS HCFA 1500 paper claim form version 08/05. The revised HCFA 1500 paper claim form version 02/12 supports various coding requirements and prepares for the conversion to ICD-10 diagnosis coding. Claims for dates of service beginning October 1, 2015 must include ICD-10 diagnosis codes.

You should contact your billing or software vendors for information on their ICD-10 conversion and testing plans. And, look closely at clinical, financial, billing and coding processes to ensure readiness.