OWCP and ICD-10 CM/PCS

The implementations of ICD-10 promises to create havoc and anarchy in the OWCP process as accepted conditions get reinterpreted, likely to the detriment of injured workers. Fortunately, we have a brief reprieve. Due to overwhelming concerns in the medical community as to the effect of this change, President Obama recently sign the SGR Patch bill, HR-4302, which delayed ICD-10 CM/PCS implementations until October 1, 2015.

Although there is a delay in the implementation of ICD-10 CM/PCS, OWCP is still requiring that providers use the revised HCFA 1500 claim form (version 2/12) to report services rendered using the current ICD-9. The implementation of ICD-10 promises to bring additional havoc and confusion to an OWCP process that places tremendous burdens and hurdles on injured workers who frequently have difficulty finding physicians who are willing to accept their cases due to OWCP operating a system that is designed purely for the convenience of those running OWCP with little if any consideration of the needs of injured workers and medical providers. Current versions of OWCP approved forms for FECA cases can be found through their website at the following location:

http://www.dol.gov/owcp/dfec/regs/compliance/forms.htm