CMS sketches out ICD-10 testing schedule, finalizes Oct. 1, 2015, start date

Why This Topic Matters

The piece helps readers gauge how CMS structured ICD-10 readiness activities and what kinds of testing opportunities were available before the implementation date. It matters to organizations preparing claims workflows, system changes, and coordination with Medicare and other payers.

Article Sections

1. ICD-10 testing overview

   Introduces CMS’s testing plans for the ICD-10 transition and the types of participants involved. It frames the article’s focus on Medicare-related readiness activities.

2. Acknowledgement testing schedule

   Summarizes CMS’s acknowledgement testing timing and participation options. It discusses the general purpose of this testing phase and the groups invited to submit test claims.

3. Final rule and effective date

   Covers CMS’s finalization of the ICD-10 start date and the policy context surrounding the implementation timeline. It also notes the broader federal actions affecting the schedule.

4. End-to-end testing goals and limits

   Describes CMS’s end-to-end testing framework, including the planned testing windows and the general objectives of the testing process. It also notes participation limits and the focus on Medicare fee-for-service claims systems.

5. Industry feedback and related resources

   Presents commentary on the value of testing results and the need for more reporting detail. It closes with references to related organizations and resource links.