CMS does not require ordering providers to rewrite orders prior to ICD-10 implementation with appropriate diagnosis codes for laboratory, radiology, and other services, including durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies, according to a new FAQ.
Orders written before October 1 should have ICD-9-CM codes, while those written on or after October 1 must use ICD-10-CM. For repetitive orders written before October 1 for services that will continue to be billed after October 1, providers can use CMS’ General Equivalency Mappings (GEM). However, providers are not required to update codes for the orders written before October 1. Providers should be cautious using the GEMs, as they do not contain one-to-one conversions for diagnoses.
For more information about coding and billing, see CMS’ ICD-10 FAQs page.