As per the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), there are 3,827 new hospital inpatient procedure codes for FY 2017 effective October 2016. Out of which, 97 percent of the codes will update the cardiovascular and lower joint body systems. Plus, the specificity safe harbor for Part B Medicare claims ends October 1, 2016.
| 2016 Total Codes | New Codes | Revised Titles | Deleted Codes | 2017 Total Codes |
| 71,974 | 3,827 | 491 | 12 | 75,789 |
Step 1:
Start your preparation by first reviewing the CMS 2017 ICD-10 PCS files posted by CMS online HERE. The link covers important information on the ICD-10-PCS updates for FY 2017 and these ICD-10-PCS codes are to be used for discharges occurring from Oct. 1, 2016 through Sept. 30, 2017. Also, according to CMS the general equivalence mappings (GEMs) will be posted on the website in August. HERE are some more important links on ICD-10-PCS guidelines posted by CMS.
Step 2:
Train your coding staff by developing a set of educational material. Review the code changes, guidelines and include case studies so that they can prepare ahead of time for the new ICD-10-PCS codes. Your training must include information about anatomy and physiology, and a post-educational assessment or quiz to validate that the educational material was understood. Prepare a knowledge assessment with 20 multiple questions. Plus, providing continuing education units or CEUs can be another aspect of providing education and training. Check the AHIMA and/or AAPC websites regarding the CEU process and requirements.
Step 3:
Defining the impact of ICD-10-PCS codes on MS-DRGs is critical. The new and revised ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes will be included in the hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule for FY 2017. The new rule is expected to be released in August. Your coding staff need to be updated about the various changes on the MS-DRG.
Step 4:
Once the new codes are implemented, conducting a coding audits or quality validation assessments is imperative for the practitioners to ensure that the coding is accurate. Planning and conducting the necessary follow-through with coding education and training is key, and you have only few months to prepare.
To help you cope with the new 2017 ICD-10 guidelines, CPT® coding updates 2017 and coding requirements, ProfEdOnDemand is offering specialty-specific ICD-10 audio conferences led by a panel of leading medical coding, billing and compliance experts. Take a look at our extensive list of coding conferences HERE!
