The federal government has finalized a one-year delay in the compliance deadline for the nationwide conversion to ICD-10 code sets. The delay, first proposed in April, will move the compliance deadline to Oct. 1, 2014.

HHS said the extra time would allow health care organizations, small organizations in particular, adequate time to get ready for the changeover.

"By delaying the compliance date of ICD-10 from October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014, we are allowing more time for covered entities to prepare for the transition to ICD-10 and to conduct thorough testing," HHS said in the rule. "By allowing more time to prepare, covered entities may be able to avoid costly obstacles that would otherwise emerge while in production."

HHS included the change in a 208-page final rule (PDF) establishing a unique health plan identifier for all insurers. In a news release on the CMS' Web site announcing the rule, HHS said the identifier, along with other administrative simplification regulations included in the health care reform law, will save the health care system an estimated $6 billion over the next decade. 

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