ICD-9 Coding: Boost Your Upper Body ICD-9 Choices

Read on for 2012 ICD-9 updates for chest and shoulder conditions and more.

ICD-9 2012 changes went into effect on October 1 this year. If you're still not up to speed on these code changes, here's an opportunity to do so.

When it comes to Pneumothorax coding, you'll have to shift to 512.89. Even if you normally find yourself reporting the code for 'not otherwise specified' (NOS) pneumothorax, you will see a change as to how you should code.

Previously, under ICD 9 codes 2011, you used to report an acute, chronic, or NOS pneumothorax with 512.8, however ICD-9 2012 revises 512.8 and turns into a range of codes. To put it in other words, there's a new range of five-digit 512.8x codes; as such 512.8 is no longer valid.

These codes 512.81-512.82 specify 'spontaneous' and differ based on primary and secondary.

This time ICD-9 splits and provides you a new SPN code. See to it that you highlight this change in your coding references also: Under ICD-9 2012, 793.1 is not a valid code anymore. The new code set adds required fifth digits to 793.1 for two new codes: 793.11 (Solitary pulmonary nodule) and 793.19 (Other nonspecific abnormal finding of lung field).

This change brings forth more specific reporting of a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). A patient may have more than one SPN present and each may be in a distinct anatomic area.

Notice this difference: ICD-9 Codes 2011 covered an index entry for "Nodule(s), nodular; lung, solitary, which pointed to 518.89; however the new ICD 9 code set revises the index.

Apart from pulmonary revisions, you also need to take note of 726.13. As per the diagnosis Agenda, a partial tear refers to rotator cuff tendon damage in which the tear does not go completely through the tendons. Instead if documentation shows a complete tear, you should go for 727.61.

2012 ICD- 9-CM Codes: Get Four Options for Non-Melanoma Malignant Neoplasm of the Lip

Plus, new codes will make cancer classification easier.

The proposed changes to 2012 ICD-9 codes is out; approved by the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee, the new, revised and invalid codes were published in the Federal Register on May 5, 2011. After the new codes go into effect on October 1 this year, CMS will add ICD-9 codes on an emergency basis as it gears up to switch over the diagnosis coding system to ICD-10.

Expanded ICD-9 diagnosis code sets: As per the changes, from October 1 this year, dermatology coders will be able to report the location of carcinomas and other neoplasms of the skin more accurately. This time they include an expansion of the 173.x (Other malignant neoplasm of skin) series. Each code in that series will get a list of fifth digits that'll provide specifications on whether the malignant neoplasm is basal cell, squamous cell, or unspecified.

Source Code :- http://www.supercoder.com/icd9-codes/

ICD 9 codes 2011: Right now dermatology coders use 173.0 for any non-melanoma malignant neoplasm of the lip. This will become an invalid code once ICD-9 2012 codes go into effect.

ICD-9 codes 2012: When the ICD-9 2012 goes into effect, coders can choose from four options - 173.00, 173.01, 173.02 and 173.09.

New codes will make cancer classification easier: Normally, majority of skin cancers are either basal or squamous cell, neither of which are reportable conditions to central cancer registries. Due to the difficulty in distinguishing reportable skin cancers from non-reportable skin cancers, the facilities are transmitting skin cancers to central registries. This puts an additional burden on central registries and also ends up in the transmission of confidential patient information on patients whose information shouldn't be reported. The expansion of the category of 173 codes will allow for the differentiation of reportable and non-reportable skin cancer.

ICD-10 codes: We're not sure whether there'll be expanded skin neoplasm codes when coders update their diagnosis codes in 2013 with the new code set. Presently, ICD-10 is likely to include C44.0-C44.9, a code series that does not have the specificity as the soon-to-go-into-effect ICD-9 2012 codes.