ICD-10 Deadline: Implementation date set at October 1, 2014

On August 24, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a one-year delay of ICD-10-CM/PCS implementation. The new deadline is October 1, 2014. (Read the final rule at www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-21238_PI.pdf.)

For many, that’s good news. In an August 28 poll, just four days after CMS’ announcement, 46% of the participants in the HCPro audio conference “Mastering Physician Queries: Tools for Effective Policies, Practices and ICD-10 Preparation” indicated that their facility had not started any training (www.hcmarketplace.com/prod-10509).

“Really we’re at about 50/50 with some [facilities] having started some training ... It doesn’t surprise me too much since we did just actually get the final implementation date. Consider this your opportunity to start to move forward,” Mary Stanfill, MBI, RHIA, CCS, CCSP, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer, said during the August audio conference.