You might not want to call it “dual coding,” but there will be a need to maintain coding capability for both ICD-9 and ICD-10. As you are well aware, ICD-10 is now required for claims with a Date of Service (DOS) after Oct. 1, 2015. Claims with an earlier DOS still must be billed using ICD-9. Because you can submit claims (Medicare, for example) up to one year after the DOS, there will be submissions using ICD-9 codes.
In an article confirming this, CMS noted that the mandatory use of ICD-10 pertains to health plans covered by HIPAA. For other types of insurance such as automobile, home or workman’s compensation, which are not covered by HIPAA, most of these insurers have indicated they intend to stay with ICD-9.
This means that if you are caring for a patient who develops a work-related allergy disease covered by worker’s compensation, and if you see them for care for these illnesses, you will need to use your ICD-9 codes indefinitely.
Questions? Feel free to contact the Advocacy Council.
