ICD-11 was released by the WHO in 2019, but it has yet to be implemented into the US healthcare system. ICD-11 will come into effect on 1st January, 2022. Currently, the US utilizes a variant of the ICD-10, called the ICD-10 Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), that was released in 2015.
It may take a few years to implement the ICD-11 system, and this timeline may be further stretched if it is determined that a clinical modification in the form of ICD-11-CM is needed. Nevertheless, it can be said with certainty that implementation of ICD-11 is inevitable.
As per WHO estimates, more than 70% of healthcare expenditure comes attached with ICD codes. Therefore, any physicians or practices who do not adapt to the transition may face issues with reimbursements and suffer preventable rejected claims.
