1. Q: What is
ICD-10?
A: ICD-10 is the International Classification of Diseases, version 10.
(ICD is the international standard for diagnostic classifications.) The current
version, ICD-9, was adopted in 1979.
2. Q: What changes are occurring in the ICD-10 version?
A: The changes will impact ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes and ICD-9-CM procedure
codes. The changes are as follows:
** The diagnosis codes (ICD-9) are currently three to five digits that are
alphanumeric in nature and combine to make around 14,000 unique diagnosis codes
being used today. For ICD-10, the diagnosis codes will be seven digits that are
alphanumeric in nature and combine to make around 68,000 unique diagnosis codes
** Currently, ICD-9 procedure codes are three to four digits that are numeric
in nature and combine to make about 4,000
unique procedure codes. For ICD-10-PC
S (inpatient), the procedure codes will be 7 alphanumeric in nature and combine
to make around 72,000 unique procedure codes.
3. Q: What is the primary purpose of this change?
A: The primary purpose of the change to ICD-10 is to improve clinical
communication. It allows for the capture of data about signs, symptoms,
risk factors and comorbidities and better describes the clinical issues
overall. It will also enable the United States to exchange information across
country borders.
4. Q: What is CarePlus’ plan for ICD-10 acceptance?
A: CarePlus will accept ICD-9 codes
on claims w/ date of service (DOS),
or discharge dates of September 30, 2014 or prior.
CarePlus will accept ICD-10 codes on claims w/ DOS, or discharge dates of
October 1, 2014 or after.
5. Q: Do you plan to be ready to process ICD-10 codes submitted on
claims forms by Oct 1, 2013?
A: CarePlus will go live with the ICD-10 codes effective October 1, 2014.
6. Q: How long will support for both ICD-9 and ICD-10 coding be
provided?
A: CarePlus will process correctly coded
transactions within the date ranges
specified in the answers above until the volume of ICD-9
submissions is diminished.
7. Q: When will CarePlus begin testing transactions?
A: CarePlus will begin testing ICD-10 transactions in the second quarter of
2014.
