We might be entering into the hot months of summer, but before you know it it’ll be fall, and with it will come the long anticipated transition to ICD-10. However, a recent bill in the House is trying to stop ICD-10 in its tracks. H.R. 2126, formally known as the Cutting Costly Codes Act of 2015, would prohibit switching to ICD-10 from the current ICD-9 codeset.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas) and co-sponsored by six fellow Republicans, was referred to the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees.
The ICD-10 codeset is used by providers for identifying illnesses and treatments, as well as for reimbursement. While it was originally due to implemented in 2013, it has been delayed twice. The new transition date is October 1.
Poe said ICD-10 represented the rise of big government regulation stifling the health-care system, and said providers “should be focused on treating patients, not implementing a whole new bureaucratic language,” according to a statement.
In addition to blocking the ICD-10, the bill would also require the GAO to study alternatives to ICD-9 as well as their impact, and issue a report to Congress on their findings.
ICD-10 has garnered support from Congressional leadership, most recently at a February Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing.
Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) said further ICD-10 delays would increase costs to the health-care system, while Ranking Member Gene Green (D-Texas) said there is no more time for delays.
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Photo courtesy of: Medical Coding News
Originally published on: Health Care Finance
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