The Health and Human Services department announced Feb. 16 that it would delay implementation of the ICD-10 codes, formally known as the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, diagnosis and procedure codes.

Physician organizations had sought just such a delay, stating that it would be unduly burdensome to switch to the new system at a time when clinicians were also adjusting to information technology requirements under the Affordable Care Act. The ICD-10 had been scheduled to go into effect on Oct. 1, 2013.

No new compliance date was announced.

"We have heard from many in the provider community who have concerns about the administrative burdens they face in the years ahead," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a statement. "We are committing to work with the provider community to reexamine the pace at which HHS and the nation implement these important improvements to our health care system."

The American Medical Association was among those seeking relief from ICD-10. The organization “continues to urge HHS to improve the regulatory climate for physicians by halting the implementation of ICD-10,” a spokesman said in an interview.*

The new system would have an estimated 68,000 codes, replacing the 13,000 codes contained in the current system (ICD-9), according to the AMA. At its interim meeting in November 2011, the AMA House of Delegates called on the organization to do all it could to stop the new system from being put into place.

In January, the AMA wrote to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) asking him to find a way to stop implementation of ICD-10. Physicians could face implementation costs anywhere from $83,290 to more than $2.7 million, depending on the size of the practice, according to the letter.

In a statement, AMA President Peter Carmel noted that the organization appreciated "Secretary Sebelius’ swift response," and added that the group "looks forward to having a productive dialogue with the administration regarding the impact of ICD-10 and decreasing unnecessary hassles for physicians so they can take care of their patients."

*This story updated Feb. 22 to clarify the AMA position on ICD-10.

02/16/12