If you were worried that implementing ICD-10 while keeping up with ICD-9 updates would overwhelm your practice, relax. CMS heard your concerns and placed a partial freeze on updates to both code sets. CMS made the announcement during the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting on Sept. 15, 2010.
After the regular update to the ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM code sets on Oct. 1, 2011, you'll only see one more limited update to ICD-9. In 2012 the updates will only capture new technologies and diseases for both code sets. In 2013 there will be a limited update to the ICD-10 and no update to ICD-9. In 2014 regular updates to ICD-10 will start.
[Originally posted on Anesthesia & Pain Decisions]