Pediatric Coding: 2011 ICD 9 additions for your practice

Pediatric Coding: 2011 ICD 9 additions for your practice

2011 ICD 9 codes will go into effect pretty soon. If you are a pediatric coder, you have a few welcome additions to your practice.

2011 ICD 9 codes, ICD 9 2011, Medical Coding

The 2011 ICD 9 codes will go into effect pretty soon. If you are a pediatric coder, you have a few welcome additions to your practice. Here are some examples of new diagnoses you will find yourself reporting on a regular basis.

Attention deficit options provide a better starting point

ICD 9 2011 adds the 799.5x family to the 'III defined and unknown causes of morbidity and mortality category.

The new series will be useful for symptoms and signs as a diagnosis prior to the physician establishes a definitive diagnosis. Pediatricians tend to children with concerns regarding attention or activity. You do not have enough information after the first visit for an offical diagnosis; however you still need something to report.

For instance: The doctor tends to a child who has an attention problem; however doesn’t yet meet diagnostic criteria for attention deficit disorder. Earlier, you could not report coding choices 314.00 or 314.01 until the doctor established a definitive diagnosis. Starting October 1, you could submit 799.51 until tests confirm a diagnosis.

Add fifth digit to incontinence codes

Four new diagnoses expand the 787.6 code family. The expansion makes the series of codes applicable to pediatricians. Moving from a four-digit series to a five-digit series provides codes that involve more granularity or specificity.

V codes address retained fragments

ICD 9 2011 also comes up with a series of V codes for different types of retained fragments. The series (V90.10-V90.9) address objects ranging from metal, plastic or wood to animal quills or spines, glass, teeth, and other specified foreign bodies.

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