CMS updates Q&A on initial ICD-10 claims auditing/quality reporting flexibility

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Friday updated its guidance related to the recent announcement that Medicare audit contractors will not deny certain Part B physician fee schedule claims based solely on the specificity of the ICD-10 code for 12 months after ICD-10 implementation. The guidance answers frequently asked questions about the July 6 announcement, which also dealt with related quality reporting flexibility. Health care claims must include ICD-10 codes for medical diagnoses and inpatient hospital procedures beginning Oct. 1. For more on the transition to ICD-10, visit www.aha.org or www.cms.gov.