News

On August 31, ISASS staff participated on a National Provider Call hosted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), “Countdown to ICD-10”, where CMS emphasized preparation, assistance and collaboration during the transition to ICD-10. As you already know, ICD-10 codes must be used for services provided on and after October 1, 2015. ISASS compiled relevant information and provided its members with an “ICD-10 Guide for Spine Practices” on August 21, 2015. Since that time, CMS named Dr. William Rogers as its ICD-10 Ombudsman. Dr. Rogers is an emergency room physician, a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Georgetown University Hospital, a State Air Surgeon in the US Air Force, and the Director of CMS’ Physician Regulatory Improvement […]

Continuing ISASS advocacy efforts on minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion (MIS SIJ fusion), ISASS sent a letter to the eight Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) and more than 55 commercial health insurance companies to share our updated coverage guidelines on the procedure in an effort to expand patient access and coverage of the surgery. ISASS Letter to Payers

For services provided on and after October 1, 2015, U.S.-based entities covered under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are required to use ICD-10 code sets. ICD-9 codes will no longer be accepted on claims for services provided on or after October 1, 2015. ICD-10 consists of two parts: ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding which is for use in all U.S. health care settings. ICD-10-PCS inpatient procedure coding which is for use in U.S. hospital settings.   Medscape recently reported that nearly a quarter of physician practices say they will not be ready for the ICD-10 implementation deadline on October 1, 2015, while another 25 percent say they are unsure whether they’ll be ready. The latest Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange […]