ICD-10 — after 2 years of delays and plenty of warnings about the system's huge number of codes — is finally here. And the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) want to make sure you're ready.

Starting today, Medicare and Medicaid claims must be filed using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (better known as ICD-10). In a blog post, CMS officials say that they've "tested and retested" their systems and are ready to accept the new ICD-10 coded claims.

The ICD coding system attaches a number for every disease or trauma known to mankind. About 100,000 new ICD codes have been created. These new codes require much more specific information. The purpose of all this, say the experts, is more specific data collection. According to The New York Times, "The new codes will … make it easier for insurers and federal officials to measure the results of treatment and the quality of care — factors increasingly used in deciding how much to pay doctors and hospitals."

The group is also sharing resources you can turn to if you're experiencing problems during the transition, including links to:

• Road to 10, which covers general ICD-10 information.
• The Medicare Administrative Contractor directory. Your contractor should be "your first line of help" for any claims questions, officials say.

CMS is also sharing contact information for both the ICD-10 Coordination Center, and the ICD-10 Ombudsman. CMS notes the Coordination Center is a group of Medicare, Medicaid, billing, coding and information technology system experts that should be able to address any issues related to the transition.

The organization says that it will have a better idea of how the ICD-10 transition is going after the first billing cycle is complete in a few weeks. CMS notes that even after submission, Medicare claims take several days to be processed and, by law, Medicare must wait 2 weeks before issuing payment. Medicaid claims can take up to 30 days.

Kendal Gapinski