CMS reports preliminary ICD-10 testing results; BCBSTX begins testing in April

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced successful completion of the first of three ICD-10 end-to-end testing weeks. In an MLN Connects^® Provider eNews article posted on its website on Feb. 25, 2015, CMS reported that approximately 660 health care providers, billing services and other stakeholders participated in the first round of testing, which was conducted Jan. 26, 2015, through Feb. 3, 2015.

The CMS article included a link for readers to view additional testing results, as posted on the CMS website. Here are some quick highlights that may be of interest:

• Nearly 15,000 claims were submitted and approximately 81 percent were accepted.
• Of the claims that were rejected, three percent were due to invalid submission of ICD-9 data, three percent were due to invalid submission of ICD-10 data, and 13 percent were rejected for reasons unrelated to coding.

While, according to the CMS article, “Testing demonstrated that CMS systems are ready to accept ICD-10 claims,” testing will continue to help identify areas of potential improvement. Two more end-to-end testing weeks have been scheduled by CMS to occur prior to the Oct. 1, 2015, federally mandated, ICD-10 implementation.¹

Would You Like to Test with Us?
Testing is important to help identify possible issues well before the Oct. 1, 2015, ICD-10 compliance date. At a minimum, testing with your clearinghouse and confirming ICD-10 readiness with your practice management system vendor or billing service, if applicable, is encouraged.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) will begin provider ICD-10 testing this month. Testing enrollment packets were sent to select providers with instructions on how to participate. If you did not receive an enrollment kit and are interested in testing with us, please contact your Network Management Representative. Provider ICD-10 testing at BCBSTX is scheduled to run through Sept. 15, 2015.