The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may freeze the current ICD-9 codes prior to the Oct. 1, 2013, changeover to ICD-10 codes.
Freezing the codes would mean that no new codes could be added and no updates could be made to the ICD-9 codes as the transition to ICD-10 is underway. CMS also is considering freezing the ICD-10 codes prior to their implementation.
CMS is seeking public input on whether:
- ICD-9 updates should be frozen prior to the ICD-10 implementation
- ICD-10 codes should be frozen prior to their implementation and when updates to these codes should begin again
For the full list of questions, visit the CMS website. If you would like to submit comments on the potential freeze, email Pat Brooks at patricia.brooks2@cms.hhs.gov or Donna Pickett at dfp4@cdc.gov.