Get them while they're hot! And then, enjoy the freeze.

With time to spare, the editors of FPM magazine have provided not only an article describing the ICD-9 code changes that take place on Oct. 1, 2010, but an updated array of ICD-9 tools to help you bill the correct diagnosis codes for dates of service through Oct. 1, 2011.

The September/October issue of FPM includes the article as well as the FPM short list of ICD-9 codes for family medicine. The short list and a long list can be downloaded in PDF or Excel format from the ICD-9 resources page in the FPM Toolbox. The FPM superbill and a searchable ICD-9 database for PDA users have also been updated and can be downloaded there as well. Be sure to share these valuable resources with your staff.

We also have good news about future code updates. The ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee will implement a partial freeze of the ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes prior to the implementation of ICD-10 on Oct. 1, 2013.

The partial freeze will be implemented as follows:

• The last regular, annual updates to both ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets will be made
  on Oct. 1, 2011.
• On Oct. 1, 2012, there will be only limited code updates to both the ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets to capture new technologies and diseases.
• On Oct. 1, 2013, there will be only limited code updates to ICD-10 code sets to capture new technologies and diagnoses. There will be no updates to ICD-9, as it will no longer be used for reporting.
• On Oct. 1, 2014, regular updates to ICD-10 will begin.

The partial freeze should allow you, your staff, software vendors and payers to focus on ICD-10 training and implementation of ICD-10 codes for the next three years without having to also keep up with significant changes to either the ICD-9 or ICD-10 code sets.

During this time, FPM and the AAFP will continue to offer information and resources to help you through the ICD-10 training and transition and keep you up-to-date on any code changes due to new diseases effected during the freeze.