House Passes SGR Bill Including One-Year ICD-10 Delay

The House has passed a bill that would delay the implementation of ICD-10 by one year, in addition to shielding physicians from steep pay cuts under Medicare’s sustainable growth rate, according to a report from The Hill.

Advertisement

The bill — which House lawmakers approved by voice vote — would delay the implementation of ICD-10 to Oct. 1, 2015. Earlier this week, the American Health Information Management Association called on its members to contact members of Congress and voice opposition to the bill. CMS has estimated a one-year delay of ICD-10 could cost between $1 billion and $6.6 billion, according to AHIMA.  

The bill would also shield physicians until the end of March 2015 from a 24 percent pay cut currently due to take effect April 1 under the SGR. The patch would be the latest in a series of short-term legislative solutions Congress has enacted every year since 2003 to stave off double-digit Medicare pay cuts for physicians under the SGR. The American Medical Association has expressed opposition to the bill, pushing for a permanent SGR solution rather than another temporary fix.

More Articles on ICD-10:
AMA Opposes Temporary SGR Patch  
House to Consider Bill Linking SGR Fix to ICD-10 Delay
5 Most-Read Stories on ICD-10 

Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit

Advertisement

Next Up in Legal & Regulatory Issues

Advertisement

Comments are closed.