AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2008 Issue 4; VOLUMES 1 AND 2 NEW/REVISED CODES
Acanthamoeba Keratitis/Fusarium Keratitis
Effective October 1, 2008, code 136.2, Specific infections by free-living amebae, has been expanded to uniquely report specific infections due to acanthamoeba. Acanthamoeba is a microscopic, free-living ameba that is frequently found in the environment. This ameba has been isolated from water (including pools and hot tubs), air (associated with heating, ventilation, air conditioning and cooling towers), sewage systems, soil, and water systems (water taps and shower heads). Most individuals exposed to Acanthamoeba will not become ill. However, Acanthamoeba can cause several types of infection in humans. Acanthamoeba keratitis (136.21 + 370.8) is a rare localized...
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Article Overview
This article covers an ICD-9-CM coding update effective October 1, 2008, focused on specific infections due to free-living amebae, especially acanthamoeba, and the related eye manifestation category for keratitis. It also discusses related infectious disease index and tabular changes involving amebiasis, opportunistic mycoses, encephalitis categories, and keratitis cross-references. The content is relevant to coders, clinicians, and compliance staff working with infectious disease, ophthalmology, and diagnosis coding updates.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate identification of these related diagnosis categories affects how infection-related eye conditions and associated systemic infections are reported in medical records and claims. The article helps readers understand the scope of the update and the surrounding classification changes without needing to search through multiple code references.
Article Sections
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Background on Acanthamoeba Infection
Introduces the organism, common environmental sources, and the general range of human infections associated with it.
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Acanthamoeba Keratitis and Other Clinical Presentations
Summarizes the eye-related presentation and other severe or disseminated infection patterns associated with the organism.
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ICD-9-CM Index and Tabular Changes
Presents classification updates across infectious disease and keratitis sections, including related cross-references and exclusions.
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Coding Example
Provides a brief scenario illustrating how the diagnosis categories are reported in a contact lens-related eye infection case.
What You Will Learn
- How the article’s infection-related topic is organized within the diagnosis classification system
- Which related infectious disease sections are affected by the update
- How the keratitis category is linked to the broader infection classification topic
- What type of clinical scenario the article uses to illustrate reporting
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding educators
- Compliance staff
- Ophthalmology practices
- Infectious disease clinicians
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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