In an April 9 media release, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed one year delay to the implementation of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10).  CMS noted a number of reasons for delaying implementation.  CMS highlighted numerous concerns voiced by provider groups about meeting the current Oct. 1, 2013 deadline.  Additionally, the media release notes that issues and delays to implementation of Version 5010, the update to electronic health care transactions, have been a cause for concern.  Version 5010 is required to accommodate the length of the new ICD-10 codes.

The CMS media release also reiterated some of the reasons why transitioning to ICD-10 is an important step.  The media release highlights greater specificity of diagnosis coding as well as improved accuracy in reimbursement as key reasons for implementation of ICD-10.

CMS has listed a new implementation date of Oct. 1, 2014 in a proposed rule (CMS-0040-P) with comment period.  The rule indicates that CMS believes “this change will give covered entities the additional time needed to synchronize system and business process preparation and changeover to the updated medical data code sets.”  Comments on the proposed rule are due 30 days after the publication of the proposed rule.  Formal publication of the proposed rule is projected for April 17.  Upon review of the comments, CMS will then issue a final rule establishing the new implementation date for ICD-10.