Just a few days before the Oct. 1 implementation of ICD-10, the CMS is preparing for another deadline—the possible government shutdown.
Medicare and Medicaid payments could be affected if some Republican members of Congress who want to defund Planned Parenthood win the battle against the White House and Democrats.
But Dr. Patrick Conway, the CMS' principal deputy administrator and chief medical officer, said claims would still go through because there would likely be a continuing resolution to let necessary programs function.
“(We) would continue to pay claims. And we would execute the ICD-10 transition,” Conway said.
ICD-10 ombudsman Dr. Bill Rogers wrote in a blog post on the CMS website that providers should contact him directly with questions.
“I'll be an impartial advocate for providers, focused on understanding and resolving your concerns.”
Rogers' e-mail address is [email protected].
After Oct. 1, providers should contact their Medicare Administrative Contractors, Rogers wrote.
The CMS website has an interactive U.S. map with contact information about the MAC serving each state.
Providers can also e-mail the ICD-10 coordination center at [email protected].
Those expected to be hardest hit are smaller office-based physician practices that have outdated technology.
The CMS has tried to address the problem, at least temporarily, by making available free ICD-10 compatible software that providers can download for billing purposes. In some cases, providers may also use Web-based portals for claims submissions run by their MAC. They can also submit claims on paper.
