The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the testing dates for its International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) system. CMS will test the system with providers before the October 1, 2015, start-up date for use of the new codes. The testing program will be held over three separate week-long sessions. The first testing week will be from November 17 to 21 with two testing weeks in 2015 from March 2 to 6 and June 1 to 5.

According to a FierceHealthIT news report, CMS says the testing is designed to validate a provider’s ability to meet “technical compliance and performance processing standards” during implementation. The testing weeks will help to generate awareness and interest for implementation, as well as instill confidence in the provider community, as indicated by FierceHealthIT. Testing will be conducted virtually and posted on the CMS website, the Common Electronic Data Interchange website, and each Medicare Administrative Contractors’ website.

A news release from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) indicates that providers only need to sign up for one session to determine whether their Medicare administrative contractor (MAC) will be able to accept claims with the new codes. The MACs will post information on how to participate in the tests, according to the APTA news release. For additional information on the program, click here.

In addition, CMS has released information on common ICD-10 myths as well as advice on reducing time spent on queries and ways imaging providers can prepare for the compliance date. For more information on the transition to ICD-10, visit www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/index.html.

[Sources: FierceHealthIT, APTA]