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In a press release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced a final rule that delays the compliance date for ICD-10 from October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014.
The ICD-10 compliance date change is part of a rule adopting a standard for a national unique health plan identifier (HPID), a data element that would serve as an “other entity” identifier (OEID), and add a National Provider Identifier (NPI) requirement. The Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) developed the rule as part of its ongoing role, delegated by HHS, to establish standards for electronic health care transactions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). OESS is part of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
The full press release can be found on the CMS website, and more information about ICD-10 final rule and the Unique Health Plan Identifier (HPID) can be found on the final rule fact sheet.
On January 16, 2009, HHS released the final rule mandating that all parties covered by HIPAA must implement the ICD-10 diagnosis and ICD-10 procedure code sets for medical coding. Effective April 9, 2012, the HHS has changed the ICD-10 implementation date. As a result, the ICD-10 mandate applies to all medical transactions, effective for dates of service or dates of discharge occurring on or after October 1, 2014.
BlueCross recognizes that the CMS-mandated implementation of the ICD-10 code sets will lead to a substantial change of the health care industry, and will impact nearly every part of our business. BlueCross has made several key decisions that will guide its implementation strategy. It has established teams dedicated to assessing systems, researching issues, reviewing business processes, and educating associates and affiliates about this critical implementation.
BlueCross is working to ensure all its systems, supporting business processes, policies, and procedures successfully meet the implementation standards and deadlines without interrupting day-to-day business practices.
BlueCross will be capable of accepting and processing ICD-10 diagnosis and procedure codes on the new CMS-mandated deadline of October 1, 2014.
For questions or concerns, contact the Technology Support Center at 800-868-2505 or email EDIG Operations at edig.ops@palmettogba.com.
BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.