In its first public comments since the implementation of the most recent delay to the implementation of ICD-10, CMS’ Acting Deputy Director, Office of E-health Standards & Services (OESS), Denise Buenning addressed hundreds of attendees at the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) ICD-10 Summit in Washington, DC. Click here to read the full article.

The Coalition for ICD-10, a broad-based healthcare industry advocacy group, including— hospitals, health plans, hospital and physician office coding experts, vendors, and the health information technology (HIT) community— united in support of the U.S. adoption of the ICD-10 coding standard, sent the following letter (click here) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner dated April 11 urging the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to establish October 1, 2015 as the new implementation date for the ICD-10 diagnosis and procedure coding system. The recent resignation of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebellius further complicates the currrent state of ICD-10 implementation across the industry and a timeline for the new implementation date.

ICD-10 Project Leadership and Participants

At approximately 6:59 PM Easter Standard Time (EST) on Monday, March 31, 2014, the United States Senate, by vote of 64 – 35, elected to pass H.R. 4302, legislation that installs the 17th consecutive temporary fix to the sustainable growth rate formula (SGR) for Medicare payments to physicians.  This bill also includes the previously mentioned clause to delay the implementation of the ICD-10 coding system until a minimum of October 1, 2015.  All indications are that President Obama will follow the lead of his legislative counterparts and sign this bill into law.

NYP, by all estimates, continues to be ahead of the industry curve in its readiness and adoption activities.  We will continue to fine tune our understanding of the potential impact of ICD-10 on all aspects of hospital activity – clinical, operational, and financial.  We will also monitor the relevant industry, regulatory, and legislative channels for clarity on the new implementation date.  However, in absence of such a date, I will be looking to convene project leadership to establish a more formal position and go forward strategy for NYP

This most recent development and delay is assuredly frustrating to many who have worked tirelessly amongst many, many competing priorities to ensure NYP’s people, processes, and technologies were not only ICD-10 ready but ICD-10 operational well in advance of the October 1, 2014 implementation date; a goal that we largely achieved for many aspects of the hospital operation.  These efforts are not unrecognized and will continue to contribute enormous value whenever the United States government in conjunction with the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decide to implement ICD-10.  Once again, I’d like to thank all members of the team for those efforts.

Earlier this afternoon, the United States House of Representatives passed by way of a voice vote, H.R. 4302 which primarily includes provisions to install another temporary fix to the sustainable growth rate formula for physician payments.  Included in this passed legislation is a provision that would not allow the Health and Human Services Secretary to implement the ICD-10 coding system until at least October 1, 2015.

It is important to stress that the implementation of ICD-10 has not been delayed at this time.  The current legislation has passed in the House of Representatives only.  It still must pass a vote in the Senate as it is currently constituted and finally be signed into law by President Obama.

As has been NYP’s method of operation for the past 2 plus years, we will continue to move forward with the expectation that ICD-10 will be implemented on October 1, 2014 until otherwise informed.  I’d like to thank all members participating in the ICD-10 project for their continued leadership, efforts, and support.