Here's some news physicians need to note: CMS has eliminated the 90-day grace period formerly allowed after new ICD-9, CPT and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes take effect.
Physicians must use 2005 ICD-9 codes beginning Oct. 1 or face the hassle of denied or delayed claims.
To avoid similar billing hassles with other coding systems, use the 2005 CPT and HCPCS codes beginning Jan. 1.
"This is a change from the way CMS has done business in the past," said Kent Moore, AAFP manager of health care financing and delivery systems. "Historically, physicians have had a 90-day transition period to make the switch; that's not going to happen now."
Moore said physicians should act soon to have the new codes in hand to avoid interference with their cash flows in the future.
Go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/icd9code.asp and click on information in the box titled "Effective Oct. 1, 2004" for a listing of the 2005 ICD-9 codes.
The revised HCPCS codes should be available at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicare/hcpcs/update.asp in the near future.
Contact your usual supplier for the 2005 CPT code book.
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