ICD-10 News: Final Medicare FFS ICD-10 End-to-End Testing Results Released

News Updates | August 28, 2015
CMS Conducts Final Successful Medicare FFS ICD-10 End-to-End Testing Week in July From July 20 through 24, 2015, Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) health care providers, clearinghouses, and billing agencies participated in a third successful ICD-10 end-to-end testing week with all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) MAC Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor. CMS was able to accommodate most volunteers, representing a broad cross-section of provider, claim, and submitter types. . This final end-to-end testing week demonstrated that CMS systems are ready to accept and process ICD-10 claims. Approximately 1,200 providers and billing companies participated, and testers submitted over 29,000 test claims. View theresults. Overall, participants in the July end-to-end testing week were able to successfully submit ICD-10 test claims and have them processed through Medicare billing systems. The acceptance rate for July was similar to the rates in January and April, but with an increase in the number of testers and test claims submitted. Most of the claim rejections that occurred were due to errors unrelated to ICD-9 or ICD-10. Through its robust system release testing, CMS has ensured that the Medicare FFS claims processing systems changes for ICD-10 implementation have been thoroughly tested and validated. CMS also has conducted an unprecedented additional level of testing to help providers prepare for ICD-10. This was the final end-to-end testing week, but providers are encouraged to participate in acknowledgement testing, which can be completed at any time prior to the implementation date. Be Prepared Medicare claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, will be rejected if they do not contain a valid ICD-10 code. The Medicare claims processing systems do not have the capability to accept ICD-9 codes for dates of service after September 30, 2015; or accept claims that contain both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. CMS has created a number of ICD-10 tools and resources for providers. One tool is the “Road to 10,” aimed specifically at smaller physician practices with primers for clinical documentation, clinical scenarios, and other specialty-specific resources to help with implementation. For more information, visit the Medicare FFS Provider Resources web page. Keep Up to Date on ICD-10Visit the CMS ICD-10 website and Roadto10.org for the latest news and resources to help you prepare. Sign up for CMS ICD-10 Email Updates and follow us on Twitter.

Final Medicare FFS ICD-10 End-to-End Testing Results Released

The MLN Connects® Provider eNews contains important news, announcements, and updates for health care professionals. Thursday, August 27, 2015 CMS Conducts Final Successful Medicare FFS ICD-10 End-to-End Testing Week in July From July 20 through 24, 2015, Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) health care providers, clearinghouses, and billing agencies participated in a third successful ICD-10 end-to-end testing week with all Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) MAC Common Electronic Data Interchange (CEDI) contractor. CMS was able to accommodate most volunteers, representing a broad cross-section of provider, claim, and submitter types. This final end-to-end testing week demonstrated that CMS systems are ready to accept and process ICD-10 claims. Approximately 1,200 providers and billing companies participated, and testers submitted over 29,000 test claims. View the results . Overall, participants in the July end-to-end testing week were able to successfully submit ICD-10 test claims and have them processed through Medicare billing systems. The acceptance rate for July was similar to the rates in January and April, but with an increase in the number of testers and test claims submitted.  Most of the claim rejections that occurred were due to errors unrelated to ICD-9 or ICD-10. Through its robust system release testing, CMS has ensured that the Medicare FFS claims processing systems changes for ICD-10 implementation have been thoroughly tested and validated. CMS also has conducted an unprecedented additional level of testing to help providers prepare for ICD-10.  This was the final end-to-end testing week, but providers are encouraged to participate in acknowledgement testing, which can be completed at any time prior to the implementation date. Be Prepared Medicare claims with a date of service on or after October 1, 2015, will be rejected if they do not contain a valid ICD-10 code. The Medicare claims processing systems do not have the capability to accept ICD-9 codes for dates of service after September 30, 2015; or accept claims that contain both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes.  CMS has created a number of ICD-10 tools and resources for providers. One tool is the “Road to 10,” aimed specifically at smaller physician practices with primers for clinical documentation, clinical scenarios, and other specialty-specific resources to help with implementation. For more information, visit the Medicare FFS Provider Resources web page. Like the eNews? Have suggestions? Please let us know! The Medicare Learning Network®, MLN Connects®, and MLN Matters® are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Upcoming Calls for Practitioners & Hospitals - Register Now!

The MLN Connects® Provider eNews contains important news, announcements, and updates for health care professionals. Thursday, August 27, 2015 Can't view the image? Read the eNews! View this edition as a PDF In This Edition: Countdown to ICD-10 Get ICD-10 Answers in One Place ICD-10 Resources Coding for ICD-10-CM: Continue to Report CPT/HCPCS Modifiers for Laterality Claims that Span the ICD-10 Implementation Date ICD-10-CM POA Exempt Codes for FY 2016 Available MS-DRG Grouper and MCE Software Available Video Slideshow from June 18 MLN Connects ICD-10 Call Available MLN Connects® National Provider Calls and Events National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI Call — Last Chance to Register Overview of the 2014 Annual Quality and Resource Use Reports Webcast — Register Now Medicare Quality Reporting Programs: 2017 Payment Adjustments Call — Registration Now Open New MLN Connects National Provider Call Audio Recordings and Transcripts Other CMS Events PQRS Webinars: Public Reporting of 2014 Measures Announcements Medicare ACOs Continue to Improve Quality of Care, Generate Shared Savings Registration Now Open for Round 1 2017 DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Medicare Learning Network® Educational Products “Medicare Enrollment for Physicians and Other Part B Suppliers” Fact Sheet – Revised New Medicare Learning Network Educational Web Guides Fast Fact Like the eNews? Have suggestions? Please let us know! The Medicare Learning Network®, MLN Connects®, and MLN Matters® are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ICD-10 News: Last Chance to Register for MLN Connects National Provider Call - Countdown to ICD-10

News Updates | August 24, 2015
MLN Connects National Provider Call: Countdown to ICD-10 – Last Chance to Register! Thursday, August 27; 2:30-4 pm ET To Register: Visit MLN Connects Event Registration. Space may be limited, register early. Don’t miss the August 27 MLN Connects Call — five weeks before ICD-10 implementation on October 1, 2015. CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt will be opening the call with a national implementation update. Then, Sue Bowman from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Nelly Leon-Chisen from the American Hospital Association (AHA) will be joining us with coding guidance and tips, along with updates from CMS. Agenda: National implementation update, CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt Coding guidance, AHA and AHIMA How to get answers to coding questions Claims that span the implementation date Results from acknowledgement and end-to-end testing weeks Provider resources Target Audience: Medical coders, physicians, physician office staff, nurses and other non-physician practitioners, provider billing staff, health records staff, vendors, educators, system maintainers, laboratories, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and all Medicare providers. Continuing education credit may be awarded for participation in certain MLN Connects Calls. Visit the Continuing Education Credit Information web page to learn more. Keep Up to Date on ICD-10Visit the CMS ICD-10 website and Roadto10.org for the latest news and resources to help you prepare. Sign up for CMS ICD-10 Email Updates and follow us on Twitter.

ICD-10 News: CMS ICD-10 Resources

News Updates | August 21, 2015
CMS ICD-10 Resources The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a concise guide to ICD-10 resources. The guide focuses on quick references and key steps you can take to get ready for the October 1 transition. Resources include: New Clinical Concepts Guides for specialties The Road to 10 online tool for physicians and other clinicians Brief animated videos Infographics A Quick Start Guide featuring 5 basic steps   Keep Up to Date on ICD-10Visit the CMS ICD-10 website and Roadto10.org for the latest news and resources to help you prepare. Sign up for and CMS ICD-10 Email Updates and follow us on Twitter.

Time's Running Out: Register for Final ICD-10 Call

The MLN Connects® Provider eNews contains important news, announcements, and updates for health care professionals. Thursday, August 20, 2015 Can't view the image? Read the eNews! View this edition as a PDF In This Edition: Countdown to ICD-10 MLN Connects National Provider Call: Countdown to ICD-10 — Last Chance to Register Use of Unspecified Codes in ICD-10-CM List of Valid ICD-10-CM Codes ICD-10 Clinical Concepts Guides for Specialties MLN Connects® National Provider Calls and Events National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI Call — Register Now Overview of the 2014 Annual Quality and Resource Use Reports Webcast — Register Now CMS Events Webinar for Comparative Billing Report on CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis for Referring Providers Hospital Quality Reporting Program Webinars: Impact of FY 2016 Payment Rule Hospital Quality Reporting Webinar Series: Early Management Bundle, Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock Announcements Additional Participants in Pilot Project to Improve Care and Reduce Costs for Medicare CMS Implements Changes in its Medical Review Education and Enforcement Strategies ESRD QIP PY 2016 Preview Period Extended Get Ready for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Claims, Pricers, and Codes Claims Hold for Diabetic Test Strips and Other Supply Items Medicare Learning Network® Educational Products “National Site Visit Verification (NSV) Initiative” MLN Matters Article — Released “Limiting the Scope of Review on Redeterminations and Reconsiderations of Certain Claims” MLN Matters Article — Released “PECOS Technical Assistance Contact Information” Fact Sheet — Revised Like the eNews? Have suggestions? Please let us know! The Medicare Learning Network®, MLN Connects®, and MLN Matters® are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ICD-10 News: CMS Releases Guide to Cardiology Clinical Concepts

News Updates | August 19, 2015
New Cardiology Clinical Concepts Guide To help physicians and other providers get quickly up to speed, CMS is launching the ICD-10 Clinical Concepts Series for specialties. Posted on the CMS ICD-10 website, each guide in the series compiles key information from the Road to 10 online tool in a PDF format that can be readily shared, emailed, posted to websites, and printed. Each guide includes: Common ICD-10 codes and corresponding ICD-9 codes Clinical documentation tips Clinical scenarios Links to interactive cases studies, in-depth webinars, and other Road to 10features Today, we are releasing Clinical Concepts for Cardiology, which highlights ICD-10 concepts for conditions like heart failure, hypertension, heart valve disease, and more. Keep Up to Date on ICD-10Visit the CMS ICD-10 website and Roadto10.org for the latest news and resources to help you prepare. Sign up for CMS ICD-10 Industry Email Updates and follow us on Twitter.

ICD-10 News: CMS Releases Guide to Orthopedics Clinical Concepts

News Updates | August 18, 2015
New Orthopedics Clinical Concepts Guide To help physicians and other providers get quickly up to speed, CMS is launching the ICD-10 Clinical Concepts Series for specialties. Posted on the CMS ICD-10 website, each guide in the series compiles key information from the Road to 10 online tool in a PDF format that can be readily shared, emailed, posted to websites, and printed. Each guide includes: Common ICD-10 codes and corresponding ICD-9 codes Clinical documentation tips Clinical scenarios Links to interactive cases studies, in-depth webinars, and other Road to 10features Today, we are releasing Clinical Concepts for Orthopedics, which highlights ICD-10 concepts for conditions like fractures, arthritis, shoulder pain, and more. Upcoming guides will focus on cardiology. Stay tuned! Keep Up to Date on ICD-10Visit the CMS ICD-10 website and Roadto10.org for the latest news and resources to help you prepare. Sign up for CMS ICD-10 Industry Email Updates and follow us on Twitter.