Latest ICD-10 bill calls for six months of dual coding

It's not over 'til it's over. Another bill related to ICD-10 has been introduced--this one aims to allow for dual coding for six months after the Oct. 1 transition deadline.

The Code-FLEX Act was introduced by Representatives Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Tom E. Price (R-N.C.).

The bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to report to Congress 90 days after implementation of ICD-10 on the impacts the new codes are having on providers, patients and other stakeholders. 

Just last week, however, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a joint effort with the American Medical Association to help providers get ready for ICD-10, including the agency not denying or auditing claims for ICD-10 codes for the first 12 months after the transition. 

Beth Walsh,

Editor

Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.