News

2008 ICD-9 codes will become effective October 1, 2007. In previous years, CMS and most carriers had allowed a 90-day grace period for procrastinators. The grace period was eliminated in 2005. All claims with dates of service after September 30, 2007 that use out-dated ICD-9 codes will be denied.

2008 CPT codes will become effective January 1, 2008. The books should be available for shipping in December 2007.

Effective June 1, 2004, Blue Cross of Idaho began requiring pre-authorization (to be obtained by the ordering physician) for MRIs, MRAs, CTs, and PET scans. If the authorization is not obtained, the claim will be denied as provider liability if the reading physician and/or facility is contracting with Blue Cross.