Why You Need to be Aware of Birthing Codes

Why You Need to be Aware of Birthing Codes

The March 2023 Coordination and Maintenance Committee is the venue for the birthing of new codes.

The March Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting is over.

The recordings for both days have been posted on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website. Additionally, the question-and-answer document for the procedures has been published.

There were 22 topics on the final procedure agenda, as well as nine therapeutic agent proposals that were not reviewed during the procedure presentation. Twenty proposals involved requested new technology add-on payment (NTAP) status for the 2024 fiscal year; one intends to request NTAP status for 2025, and one intends to apply for NTAP status for 2026 consideration. The slides have also been published. There were 32 topics and the addenda on the agenda for diagnoses.

The deadline for receipt of public comments on the Oct. 1 proposed new codes and revisions is April 7. The deadline for receipt of public comments for new procedure codes and revisions effective April 1, 2024 is May 5, 2023, which is also the deadline for comments on new and revised diagnosis codes effective Oct. 1, 2024. Send procedure comments to ICDProcedureCodeRequest@cms.hhs.gov and diagnosis comments to nchsicd10cm@cdc.gov. The 2024 codes that become effective on Oct. 1, 2023 will be published in the May/June time frame.

The deadline for submitting a proposal for the Sept. 12 and 13 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting is June 9. The proposal should include the desire for consideration for the April 1, 2024 or Oct. 1, 2024 implementation date. The procedure proposals must be submitted through MEARIS™, which is the Medicare Electronic Application Request Information System. Diagnosis proposals may be emailed to nchsicd10cm@cdc.gov.

One way to keep current on the activities of the Coordination and Maintenance Committee is to sign up for the subscriber list. To sign up, go to the CMS website.

The Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting provides the process to “birth” a new code. There is also a preparation for the birth, which is begun during the application process. Each proposal, which includes clinical as well as coding information, is then presented at the Coordination and Maintenance Committee meetings. After this presentation, there are discussions at CMS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The code “birth” occurs when the final codes are published in the Federal Register and on the CMS and CDC websites.

The process of developing a new code is very important, as it impacts the revenue cycle and statistics. The revenue cycle uses the data to project revenue expectations, and the statistics are used by researchers, government officials, medical companies, etc. If you haven’t participated in the Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting, I encourage you to listen to the March meeting and send constructive feedback. The feedback is not made public, and you can earn the satisfaction of impacting the coding system.

Programming note: Listen to Laurie Johnson’s live Coding Report today and every Tuesday on Talk Ten Tuesdays  with Chuck Buck and Dr. Erica Remer.

Resources:

ICD-10-PCS: ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting Materials | CMS

ICD-10-CM: ICD – ICD-10-CM – Coordination and Maintenance Committee (cdc.gov)

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

Laurie M. Johnson, MS, RHIA, FAHIMA, AHIMA Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer

Laurie Johnson is currently a senior healthcare consultant for Revenue Cycle Solutions, based in Pittsburgh, Pa. Laurie is an AHIMA-approved ICD-10-CM/PCS trainer. She has more than 35 years of experience in health information management and specializes in coding and related functions. She has been a featured speaker in over 40 conferences. Laurie is a member of the ICD10monitor editorial board and is a permanent panelist on Talk Ten Tuesdays

Related Stories

Leave a Reply

Please log in to your account to comment on this article.

Featured Webcasts

The Cost of Ignoring Risk Adjustment: How HCCs Impact Revenue & Compliance

The Cost of Ignoring Risk Adjustment: How HCCs Impact Revenue & Compliance

Stop revenue leakage and boost hospital performance by mastering risk adjustment and HCCs. This essential webcast with expert Cheryl Ericson, RN, MS, CCDS, CDIP, will reveal how inaccurate patient acuity documentation leads to lost reimbursements through penalties from poor quality scores. Learn the critical differences between HCCs and traditional CCs/MCCs, adapt your CDI workflows, and ensure accurate payments in Medicare Advantage and value-based care models. Perfect for HIM leaders, coders, and CDI professionals.  Don’t miss this chance to protect your hospital’s revenue and reputation!

May 29, 2025
I050825

Mastering ICD-10-CM Coding for Diabetes and it’s Complications: Avoiding Denials & Ensuring Compliance

Struggling with ICD-10-CM coding for diabetes and complications? This expert-led webcast clarifies complex combination codes, documentation gaps, and sequencing rules to reduce denials and ensure compliance. Dr. Angela Comfort will provide actionable strategies to accurately link diabetes to complications, improve provider documentation, and optimize reimbursement—helping coders, CDI specialists, and HIM leaders minimize audit risks and strengthen revenue integrity. Don’t miss this chance to master diabetes coding with real-world case studies, key takeaways, and live Q&A!

May 8, 2025
2025 Coding Clinic Webcast Series

2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series

Uncover critical guidance. HIM coding expert, Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS, provides an interactive review on important information in each of the AHA’s 2025 ICD-10-CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics in easy-to-access on-demand webcasts, available shortly after each official publication.

April 14, 2025

Trending News

Featured Webcasts

Open Door Forum Webcast Series

Open Door Forum Webcast Series

Bring your questions and join the conversation during this open forum series, live every Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST from June 11–July 30. Hosted by Chuck Buck, these fast-paced 30-minute sessions connect you directly with top healthcare experts tackling today’s most urgent compliance and policy issues.

June 11, 2025
Open Door Forum: The Changing Face of Addiction: Coding, Compliance & Care

Open Door Forum: The Changing Face of Addiction: Coding, Compliance & Care

Substance abuse is everywhere. It’s a complicated diagnosis with wide-ranging implications well beyond acute care. The face of addiction continues to change so it’s important to remember not just the addict but the spectrum of extended victims and the other social determinants and legal ramifications. Join John K. Hall, MD, JD, MBA, FCLM, FRCPC, for a critical Q&A on navigating substance abuse in 2025.  Register today and be a part of the conversation!

July 16, 2025
Open Door Forum: Vaccination Nation - Navigating New Rules, Risks & Reimbursement

Open Door Forum: Vaccination Nation – Navigating New Rules, Risks & Reimbursement

Vaccine policies, billing rules, and compliance risks are changing fast! How will your organization adapt? Join John K. Hall, MD, JD, MBA, FCLM, FRCPC, for a critical Q&A on navigating new Medicare mandates, coding updates, and legal challenges in vaccination programs. Get expert answers on billing, compliance, outbreak risks, and operational strategies to protect your facility and patients. . Join us live and bring your questions to the table.

June 18, 2025

Trending News

Prepare for the 2025 CMS IPPS Final Rule with ICD10monitor’s IPPSPalooza! Click HERE to learn more

Get 15% OFF on all educational webcasts at ICD10monitor with code JULYFOURTH24 until July 4, 2024—start learning today!

CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24