A Message from JCAAI President Richard W. Honsinger, MD, MACP, FAAAAI

The United States will move to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10th revision (ICD-10) for all diagnoses coding (Medicare and all other payers) on October 1, 2014.

ICD-10 is a World Health Organization product already used by over 25 major countries. Canada has used it for over 10 years. The CDC has used it for mortality data since 1999. The increased complexity will make data collection easier, but will require more computing and more effort on our part (17,000 diagnoses codes in ICD-9 increases to 68,000 codes in ICD-10).

Will you be ready? You need to start preparation now, since it may take nine months to install and test the software. All allergist/immunologists, who code or bill for services, will need to be familiar with ICD-10. You should not depend on your staff to code for you. Failure to switch will result in NO reimbursement.

The Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (JCAAI) can help you. Webinars with ICD-10 experts will be held on December 10, 2013 (Part I) from 8:00 to 10:00 pm EST and on January 21, 2014 (Part II) from 8:00 to 10:00 pm EST. JCAAI members should contact info@jcaai.org for their unique coupon code. JCAAI members will be able to view each webinar for the reduced rate of $12.50 per session ($25 for both webinars) as a member benefit. The charge for non-members will be $125 per session ($250 for both webinars)*. Physicians can claim up to 2.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Non-physicians can claim a certificate of participation. To register, please go to education.aaaai.org/rsl/jcaaiicd10cmlive and read the onsite instructions.

*SPECIAL OFFER for non-members: JCAAI membership is $175 annually and will be offered to eligible non-members with the remainder of 2013 as a BONUS! Join the JCAAI now and enjoy 13+ months of membership for the price of 12 AND participate in the webinars at member prices! This represents a net savings of $50 for these webinars, plus all the additional benefits of annual JCAAI membership. For a membership application and registration information for the webinars, go to jcaai.org.

Sincerely,

Richard W. Honsinger, MD, MACP, FAAAAI
JCAAI President