More On ICD-10 Save

Dr. Marty Bergman (see prior article) writes to remind rheumatologists that the October 1 deadline is for the date of service. If you see the patient on September 30th, but don't bill it until October 4th, you need to use ICD-9 codes. Also, most carriers (such as my local Blue Cross) don't want to see mixed codes on the same transmission form. Hence, do not submit ICD-9 for one date of service before 10/1 and another submission with ICD-10 for date of service after 10/1 in the same transmission and same form.

Rheumatology News features the August 17th Policy and Practice Podcast that discusses "doctors not being ready for ICD-10". Tune in here.

CMS has released several discipline-specific ICD-10 code sheets - family practice, internal medicine, cardiology, ob.gyn., orthopedics, and pediatrics (but not rheumatology). Click here for the ICD-10 common codes for Orthopedics.