It’s been a while since CMS set a new “final” deadline for implementation of ICD-10—the greatly expanded medical coding system. So last Thursday CMS issued a new final rule setting October 1, 2015, as the final date for implementation. This new final rule shouldn’t be confused with the April 30 proposed rule setting that same day as the start date for implementation, or the May 1 statement that an “interim final rule” would set October 1, 2015, as the implementation date.

And it shouldn’t be confused with the August 2008 proposed rule setting October 1, 2011, as the final implementation date. Or with the January 2009 final rule setting October 1, 2013, as the final date. Or with the August 2012 final rule moving the final date to October 1, 2014. Or with Congress’s mandate that the final date be extended until at least October 1, 2015.

No, this is the final final implementation deadline. Seriously. Really. No kidding.