Although there are fewer changes to ICD-9 codes this year, oncology and hematology coders will have their hands full.
Here are the main proposals you need to keep an eye on when they go into effect on October 1, 2011. This time you can see an expansion of 173.x (Other malignant neoplasm of skin) as each code in that series will get fifth digit choices, which will provide further details of the skin neoplasm type.
The changes in skin cancer codes (173.xx) follow a pattern where the fifth digit of '0' refers to an unspecified malignant neoplasm, '1' denotes basal cell cancer (BCC), 2 refers to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) while "9" describes "other" specified malignant neoplasm. The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and specified malignant neoplasm.
Why the expansion? The code series was expanded following a request from the New York Cancer Registry to help distinguish reportable skin cancers from non-reportable skin cancers – say for instance BCC and SCC. These common neoplasms behave differently – so it would be more useful to separate them.
Right now, you use ICD code 173.0 for any non-melanoma malignant lip neoplasm; however using the proposed codes, you'll choose from: 173.00, 173.01, 173.02 and 173.09.
Four-digit 173.x codes will no longer be valid with effect from October 1, 2011
This is because each code in the range will need a fifth digit to be complete.
Better documentation habits: Preparing for the just-in and revised ICD-9 code changes, you need better documentation habits. You should encourage practitioners to document the type, specific location and nature of the disease process. You'll have a two-pronged advantage as improving documentation will not only allow you to code these conditions more specifically starting October this year but will also help you gear up for ICD-10's general increase in documentation requirements after it goes into effect on October 1, 2013.
What's more, you should also plan for ICD-9 2012 to expand the present four-digit code 286.5 into these five-digit codes: 286.52 (Acquired hemophilia ), 286.53 (Antiphospholipid antibody with hemorrhagic disorder), 286.59 (Other hemorrhagic disorder due to intrinsic circulating anticoagulants, antibodies, or inhibitors).
The changes will help track trials on the cause, self-correction and pharmaceutical treatment of these disease types of hemophilia.
Here are the main proposals you need to keep an eye on when they go into effect on October 1, 2011. This time you can see an expansion of 173.x (Other malignant neoplasm of skin) as each code in that series will get fifth digit choices, which will provide further details of the skin neoplasm type.
The changes in skin cancer codes (173.xx) follow a pattern where the fifth digit of '0' refers to an unspecified malignant neoplasm, '1' denotes basal cell cancer (BCC), 2 refers to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) while "9" describes "other" specified malignant neoplasm. The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and specified malignant neoplasm.
Why the expansion? The code series was expanded following a request from the New York Cancer Registry to help distinguish reportable skin cancers from non-reportable skin cancers – say for instance BCC and SCC. These common neoplasms behave differently – so it would be more useful to separate them.
Right now, you use ICD code 173.0 for any non-melanoma malignant lip neoplasm; however using the proposed codes, you'll choose from: 173.00, 173.01, 173.02 and 173.09.
Four-digit 173.x codes will no longer be valid with effect from October 1, 2011
This is because each code in the range will need a fifth digit to be complete.
Better documentation habits: Preparing for the just-in and revised ICD-9 code changes, you need better documentation habits. You should encourage practitioners to document the type, specific location and nature of the disease process. You'll have a two-pronged advantage as improving documentation will not only allow you to code these conditions more specifically starting October this year but will also help you gear up for ICD-10's general increase in documentation requirements after it goes into effect on October 1, 2013.
What's more, you should also plan for ICD-9 2012 to expand the present four-digit code 286.5 into these five-digit codes: 286.52 (Acquired hemophilia ), 286.53 (Antiphospholipid antibody with hemorrhagic disorder), 286.59 (Other hemorrhagic disorder due to intrinsic circulating anticoagulants, antibodies, or inhibitors).
The changes will help track trials on the cause, self-correction and pharmaceutical treatment of these disease types of hemophilia.
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