Tag Archives: diagnosis code
ICD-10: 2 New H Codes To Take Place Of 366.16 in 2013
Posted on 17. Feb, 2011 by dchandhok.
When ICD-9 becomes ICD-10 in October 2013, the diagnosis codes you’re accustomed to reporting will no longer exist. Many diagnosis codes will include more details than their current counterparts, and some sub-codes of the same family will even move to different locations.
Consider two new commonly reported options for nuclear sclerosis, or nuclear cataract (366.16, Senile nuclear sclerosis).
ICD-10 difference: Diagnosis 366.16 will change to
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ICD-9 Sequencing: Ace Late Effects Diagnosis Coding With This Flow Chart
Posted on 14. Jan, 2010 by .
Combination codes for stroke late effects won’t always cover all the details.
Proper sequencing is essential when coding for late effects, so use this handy chart to sequence your codes correctly every time.
Chart provided by Lisa Selman-Holman, JD, BSN, RN, HCS-D, COS-C, consultant and principal of Selman-Holman & Associates and CoDR — Coding Done Right in Denton, Texas.
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What’s the Correct Diagnosis Code for a Urine Drug Test?
Posted on 20. Oct, 2009 by .
Question: What is the proper ICD-9 code when the lab performs a urine drug test?
Answer: ICD-9 does not provide one specific code for a urine drug test. The correct diagnosis code to report when billing for the lab test depends on the signs, symptoms, patient condition, or other reason for the test, such as screening. The ordering physician will assign a narrative diagnosis or ICD-9 code when requesting a urine drug test from the lab.
For example: A high school student previously diagnosed as marijuana dependent is doing poorly in school. Suspecting marijuana use again, the physician orders a urine drug screen. In this case, the most appropriate code is 304.30 (Cannabis dependence, unspecified).
In another case: A physician might order a general screening urine drug test such as 80100 (Drug screen, qualitative; multiple drug classes chromatographic method, each procedure) for an elderly patient prior to admission to a nursing home. Because the patient has no known history of drug abuse and shows no signs or symptoms of drug dependence or withdrawal, you should list V70.3 (Other medical examination for administrative purposes) and V72.62 (Laboratory examination ordered as part of a routine general medical examination) as the reasons for the test.
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ICD-9 2010: More Coding Options for Brain Injury
Posted on 12. Aug, 2009 by .
Check out V80.01 and V80.09 for special screenings.
The newest edition of ICD-9 changes goes into effect Oct. 1, so adjust your system to reflect some new diagnosis codes for special neurological screenings — and one that’s about to become invalid — to be sure your claims stay on par.
Extend ‘Other Conditions’ Dx From 348.8 to 348.89
Diagnosis 348.8 (Other conditions of brain) will be invalid starting Oct. 1, but ICD-9 2010 introduces a new fifth-digit replacement: 348.89. The descriptor remains the same, so you’ll be able to use it for the same circumstances as 348.8.
“I seldom used 348.8 because I do mostly surgery coding and use the final pathology report for diagnoses,” says Kathryn Gemmell, RHIT, in the physician coding department of Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa. “Something like calcium deposits on the brain or brain death could be coded to 348.89.” You might also turn to 348.89 to show a brain problem not identified with a specific ICD-9 code, Gemmell adds.
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Diabetes Coding Blunders That Cause Denials
Posted on 05. Aug, 2009 by .
Do you know the 5 fourth digits for 250.xx you should avoid?
A diabetes diagnosis code shows up on millions of dollars worth of claims each year, and that number is climbing rapidly. Make sure you code correctly to get every penny your practice deserves for managing the disease and treating manifestations and related conditions.
Diabetes is an underlying systemic disease, so you should code for it when it’s documented that your patient has the condition, even if you don’t have an active intervention planned, said Jill Young, CPC, CPC-ED, CPC-IM, with Young Medical Consulting in Lansing, Mich. during the Coding Institute-sponsored audioconference Diabetes: What do YOU need to know about 249.xx and 250.xx?
Base your selection on the physician’s documentation of these items, says Young:
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Urology Coder’s ICD-9 2010 Update
Posted on 27. Jul, 2009 by .
Get Ready Now for Urinary Diversion, Renal Disease Dx Changes in October
In just a few months, you’ll be faced with more than 350 ICD-9 changes. If you don’t incorporate the changes into your coding that day, your practice could face denials and lost revenue. There are 311 new, 22 invalid, and 45 revised ICD-9 codesthat take effect on Oct. 1, 2009.
Every dollar – and every productivity hour – counts these days, so we’ve scoured the diagnosis code changes for you. Here are 3 changes urology coders need to understand in order to code properly after Oct. 1.
Incorporate New Pouch Codes
If your urologist uses the intestines for urinary diversion, there are two new ICD-9 diagnostic codes that you should pay attention to. “These two codes may relate to problems with urinary diversions such as an ileal conduit or abdominal pouches, the Kock, Indiana, or Miami pouches,” says Michael A. Ferragamo MD, FACS, clinical assistant professor of urology, State University of New York, Stony Brook.
Join Dr. Ferragamo for his urinary diversion reimbursement audio training session.
You can use new ICD-9 code 569.71 (Pouchitis) for an infection of the diversionary bowl reservoir. For other diversionary problems you’ll be able to use new code 569.79 (Other complications of intestinal pouch).
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Diagnostic Radiology ICD-9 Code Update: New Mammo Code 793.82
Posted on 08. Jul, 2009 by .
New code 793.82 shakes up the whole 793.x range in 2010.
The switch to ICD-9 2010 is only a few short months away; preparing now for a crucial change in diagnostic imaging will put you ahead of the game.
Remember: ICD-9 2010 codes will be appropriate for services performed on or after Oct. 1, 2009.
Dense breasts may require testing beyond a mammogram to confirm no malignancies, and the request for an appropriate code to describe this resulted in 793.82 (Inconclusive mammogram), according to the ICD-9 Committee’s September 2008 meeting agenda.
“The new code may help get insurance companies to pay for additional testing,” says Cheryl Scott, CPC, CPC-H, CCS, CCS-P, with HealthTexas in Dallas. “Prior to the 2010 code, the choices were to bill it as screening or to code dense breasts as an ‘abnormality’” – which they aren’t, she says.
And precisely because these inconclusive mammogram findings are not “abnormal,” ICD-9 2010 will revise the 793.0-793.7 range so that “abnormal” findings aren’t a requirement for using these codes:
• 2009: Nonspecific abnormal findings on radiological and other examination of …
• 2010: Nonspecific (abnormal) findings on radiological and other examination of …
Codes 793.89 and 793.99 will have the same change, adding parentheses:
• 2010: 793.89 – Other (abnormal) findings on radiological examination of breast
• 2010: 793.99 – Other nonspecific (abnormal) findings on radiological and other examination of body structure.
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Orthopedic Coder’s ICD-9 Update: New Radius, Ulna Torus Fracture Codes
Posted on 03. Jul, 2009 by .
Come Oct. 1, you’ll no longer will you look to 832.0 for nursemaid’s elbow.
Does your orthopedist treat children’s arm problems with regularity? If so, then you may have three new ICD-9 codes to use as of Oct. 1. Take advantage of this sneak peak at the proposed orthopedic additions, and you’ll be ahead of your peers.
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Most of the new codes will offer additional specificity to existing diseases, which can help you code more accurately. Orthopedic coders, however, had hoped for a wider range of codes, says Leslie A. Follebout, CPC, COSC, PCS, coding manager at Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates in Salisbury, Md.
For instance, you may not celebrate the addition of fifth digits to existing codes 274.0 (Gouty arthropathy) and 453.8 (Other venous embolism and thrombosis of other specified veins). You may, however, find some brand-new additions.
Here’s 3 New Codes to Use in Pediatric Cases
If your orthopedist treats pediatric patients for fractures, then you’re used to applying forearm fracture ICD-9 codes. These constitute nearly half of all childhood fractures. ICD-9 2010 may bring you two new torus fracture options: 813.46 (Torus fracture of ulna [alone]) and 813.47 (Torus fracture of radius and ulna).
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Correct ICD-9 Coding for H1N1 (Swine Flu)
Posted on 17. Jun, 2009 by .
Truth 1. Stick With 487.x – For Now
Provided you’re up-to-date with the latest ICD-9 coding expert recommendations, your coding for confirmed cases should be on track. 487.x (Influenza) is the best choice for H1N1 right now.
Reason: The current 488 is specific for avian flu. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has indicated they feel under the current code titles that 487 is the appropriate code, reports Jeffrey F. Linzer Sr., MD, MICP, FAAP, FACEP, associate medical director of compliance and business affairs for the division of pediatric emergency medicine in the department of pediatrics at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
AUDIO TRAINING EVENT: You may code for swine flu this summer, but you’re sure to code for FBRs, sunburns, tick bites and more. Listen to Jen Godreau’s seasonal primary care coding tips.
Do This: “Go with the NCHS recommendation and use 487 for now,” Linzer advises.
Truth 2. Add 488.1 to Fall Ticket
This fall, you’ll turn to a new code in an expanded category. In ICD-9 2010, the 488 category covers a broader group “certain identified influenza virsues”, rather than the 2009 limited title “Influenza due to identified avian influenza”.
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Get These ICD-10 Transition GEMs
Posted on 10. Jun, 2009 by .
CMS unveils these ICD-9/ICD-10 Crosswalk Tools
For medical practices confused or even frightened by the ICD-10 transition, CMS has some advice. Coding News has highlights from a May 19 open door forum about leaving ICD-9 behind.
A murky grace period? The implementation date for ICD-10 remains Oct. 1, 2013, but after that date, carriers will accept ICD-9 codes for services with dates of services prior to Oct. 1, 2013 “for a period of time,” noted Pat Brooks, senior technical advisor with CMS, during the call. However, CMS has not revealed how long after the ICD-10 implementation date it will accept those codes.
AUDIO ON-DEMAND: ICD-10 Prep & What You Must Know NOW.
What this means: “When the time comes, practices will want to submit their claims for dates of services prior to Oct. 1, 2013 as quickly as possible,” notes coder Liza Shuman with Health Care Consultants in Boston. “The phrase ‘for a period of time’ seems to indicate that they will only accept the old ICD-9 codes for a short duration, even for claims submitted for dates of service prior to Oct. 1, 2013.”
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