Sinusitis Options Have a One-To-One Match with Icd-10 Codes

When ICD-10 goes into effect in 2013, you may sometimes have a simple one-to-one relationship between old and new ones, meaning that only the coder needs to twist the way he or she report it.

Take a look at these common sinusitis diagnoses and find out what you will report after October 1, 2013.

At present: When your physician treats a patient for sinusitis, you should report the proper sinusitis code for sinus membrane lining inflammation. Report 461.x for acute sinusitis. For chronic sinusitis – frequent or persistent infections lasting more than three months – assign 473.x.

For both acute and chronic conditions, you will choose the fourth digit code based on where the sinusitis occurs. For instance, for ethmoidal chronic sinusitis, you should use 473.2 (Chronic sinusitis; ethmoidal). Your otolaryngologist will most likely prescribe a decongestant, pain reliever or antibiotics to treat sinusitis.

Good tidings: These sinusitis options have a one-to-one match with the soon-to-come ICD-10 codes. For acute sinusitis diagnoses, you will look at the J01.-0 codes. For example, 461.0 (Acute maximllary sinusitis) translates to J01.00 (Acute maxillary sinusitis, unspecified). Code 461.1 (Acute frontal sinusitis) maps directly to J01.10 (Acute frontal sinusitis). See how the definitions are mostly identical. Just like ICD-9 , the fourth digit changes to specify location.

For chronic sinusitis diagnoses, you will look to the J32 – code. For example, in the above instance, 473.2 maps direction to J32.2 (Chronic ethmoidal sinusitis). Again, this is a direct one-to-one ratio with identical definitions. Like ICD-9 code, the fourth digit changes to specify location.

Physician documentation: Presently, the physician should pinpoint the location of the sinusitis. This won't change in year 2013.

Tips for coders: You will scrap the 461.x and 473.x options and turn to J01.-0 and J32.- in your ICD-10 manual. Except for the change in code number and the addition of a letter, you should treat these claims the same as before.