Physician & Practice Timeline®

The initial 12-month transition period in which Medicare FFS claims would not be denied based on specificity of ICD-10 codes ends September 30. Beginning October 1, 2016, all claims must include valid ICD-10 codes to the highest level of specificity possible.

For all eligible professionals that are participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program for the first time in 2016, the CMS Attestation System is open between July 4 and October 1. First-time attesters have until October 1, 2016 to attest to any 90-day continuous period in 2016 in order to avoid a payment adjustment in 2017. Registration and Attestation user guides are available on the CMS website.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published the CY 2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule which updates payment policies, payment rates, and other provisions for services supplied under the Medicare PFS on or after January 1, 2017. A summary of the proposed rule is available on ACP's website.

The 2015 Open Payment data - showing all transfers of value by drug, device, biological, and medical supply manufacturers to physicians and teaching hospitals - are now available.

Physicians still have the opportunity to review and dispute the data through December 31, 2016. Step by step guides for registering and reviewing/disputing are available on the CMS website.