GAO Reports CMS Is Prepared for ICD-10

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report indicating that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is adequately preparing for ICD-10 implementation to go ahead on October 1, 2015. The report provides an overview of CMS activites related to the ICD-10 transition and indicates that both Medicare and Medicaid agencies have taken the appropriate steps.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) noted, "While additional testing will be needed to ensure its success, the transition to the new system will streamline the management of healthcare records and improve patient care. I will continue to keep a close eye on this issue but see no reason for any delay past the October deadline."