The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) announced in the fiscal year 2022 Hospital Prospective Payment System final rule published on August 2, 2021 that it is adopting an April 1 implementation date for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code updates, in addition to the annual October 1 update, beginning with April 1, 2022. The April 1 implementation will use a phased-in approach, such that the number and nature of code updates will be fewer and less comprehensive as compared to the existing October 1 update. “The intent of this April 1 implementation date is to allow flexibility in the ICD-10-CM/PCS code update process. CMS believes that this additional April 1 implementation date for new codes would allow for earlier recognition of diagnoses, conditions, and illnesses as well as procedures, services, and treatments in the claims data. The agency also believes this earlier recognition would be beneficial for purposes of reporting data collection, tracking clinical outcomes, claims processing, surveillance, research, policy decisions, and data operability.“1
1. AHIMA Journal September 20,2021 Highlights of FY 2022 IPPS Final Rule