Dive Brief:
- The American Medical Association, along with 99 additional physician groups, is asking CMS to implement a backup plan in preparation for the upcoming transition to ICD-10 on October 1.
- The groups sent a letter on March 4 that outlines their concerns about the lack contingency planning to help manage potential issues—despite the fact that the Government Accountability Office recently announced that CMS is prepared.
- The groups are also asking CMS to consider how the ICD-10 transition may impact quality reporting programs. As Becker's reports, the transition is slated to take place in the third quarter of 2015, while most quality measures are reported in the first quarter. "The difference may affect quality reports, in turn reflecting in value-based payments," it states.
Dive Insight:
The groups say they are concerned that the administration is underestimating the impact the transition will have on the "regulatory tsunami" already affecting physicians.
"Although we appreciate the training, educational tools and other efforts by CMS to prepare physicians for the ICD-10 transition," says AMA president Robert Wah, MD, "it is clear that more information is needed about how the shift will impact quality reporting so physicians can avoid penalties."