Reno, NV – On May, 2014, Medical Business Systems announced that its cloud-based practice management system, Iridium Suite, became compliant with the new HCFA 1500 form standards. The new HCFA 1500 paper claim form changes are required, in spite of the recently legislated delay in the requirement for medical practices and billing services to utilize ICD-10 compliant billing software. Iridium Suite offers billers the flexibility to choose whether to use the new HCFA 1500 claim form or the prior version when sending out paper claims. Some payers may require use of the previous HCFA 1500 form when re-invoicing claims with dates of service prior to April 1, 2014.
The new format was introduced to align the claim with the 5010 837P standards and to accommodate ICD-10 reporting needs. There are numerous differences between the old HCFA 1500 claim form (FORM CMS-1500 08-05) and the new form (FORM CMS-1500 02-12). Some changes are minor while other changes are more significant.
One of the most important changes to the form is the ability to accommodate up to 12 unique diagnosis codes per claim in Box 21. This represents a significant increase from the old version which allowed only four diagnosis codes. The diagnosis codes are labeled from A-L as opposed to 1-4 in the previous format. Iridium Suite accommodates the inclusion of 12 diagnosis codes per claim and allows the medical biller to “order” the diagnosis codes appropriately based on the patient’s specifics. Box 21 also includes an indicator that is used to signal whether the codes listed are in ICD-9 or ICD-10 format.
While the delay in implementation of ICD-10 until October 1, 2015 may lead some to believe that having ICD-10 compliant billing software is no longer pressing, that is not the case. Changes such as those to the HCFA 1500 continue to be required in spite of the delay. It is likely that practice management systems which have difficulty becoming ICD-10 compliant also find it challenging to adhere to new requirements such as the new HCFA 1500 form.

About Medical Business Systems
Medical Business Systems is a leader in the healthcare software marketplace. Iridium Suite practice management system is the company’s flagship product and is compliant with the new ICD-10 rules well in advance of the October 1, 2015 deadline.

For more information, please visit http://www.iridiumsuite.com
Contact
To learn more about Iridium Suite medical billing software, please contact:
Susan Morrison
Medical Business Systems
Office: (775)453-3193
[email protected]