Tensions continue to run high regarding the implementation of ICD-10 this fall. Although the Government Accountability Office issued a report in February declaring CMS is prepared for the Oct. 1, 2015 transition, some providers and hospitals still have qualms about the new coding system.
Additionally, in recent weeks House representatives have introduced bills either barring or altering ICD-10 implementation.
Now, Steven Stack, MD, president-elect of the American Medical Association says issues related to ICD-10 are so large that the industry should just skip the implementation and move directly into ICD-11.
In an interview with Healthcare Finance, Dr. Stack said the AMA supports the bill proposed by Rep. Ted Poe (R-Texas), the Cutting Costly Codes Act of 2015, which seeks to prohibit the federal government from requiring the medical community to implement ICD-10.
"We believe the problems associated with ICD-10 are so substantial, our policy is we should not move forward with ICD-10," Dr. Stack told Healthcare Finance. "Let's just get to ICD-11 and get it done properly."
The World Health Organization has already started preparations for ICD-11, and its projected release date for the new set of code is 2017.
However, Sue Bowman, senior director for coding policy and compliance at AHIMA, has previously told MedPage Today that providers can't jump from ICD-9 to ICD-11. She said ICD-10 is a necessary stepping stone.
More articles on ICD-10:
10 important ICD-10 questions to ask your EHR vendor
100 physician groups call for ICD-10 contingency plan
Survey: Concerns remain high regarding ICD-10 transition