All LCDs and articles will receive a new identification (ID) number. For example, LCD ID 1234 might become LCD ID 4567. Even though there will be new ID numbers CMS states that it does not consider these to be new policies. Instead, it considers this update to be a coding revision that does not change the intent of coverage and/or non-coverage within an LCD.
Therefore, if a Medicare administrative contractor (MAC) only translates ICD-9 codes to the appropriate ICD-10 code, the policy does not need to be vetted through its Carrier Advisory Committee or be sent through the public comment and notice process. However, if a MAC decides to revise more than just the ICD-10 code(s), CMS directs them to follow the normal LCD-development process outlined in Chapter 13 of the Medicare Program Integrity Manual at http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Downloads/pim83c13.pdf on the CMS website.
LCDs and articles that do not contain ICD-10 information must be published on the MCD no later than Sept. 4, 2014.
Information Source: For the above announcement, go to http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/Downloads/R1293OTN.pdf.
