AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2009 Issue 4; VOLUMES 1 & 2 NEW/REVISED CODES
Epilepsy
Effective October 1, 2009, new inclusion terms have been added at category 345, Epilepsy and recurrent seizures, for the fifth-digit subclassification of “1, with intractable epilepsy.†These inclusion terms instruct the coder that if the epilepsy is described using any of the terms included the 5th digit for intractable should be used. 345 Epilepsy and recurrent seizures The following fifth-digit subclassification is for use with categories 345.0, .1, .4-.9: 1 with intractable epilepsy Add pharmacoresistant (pharmacologically resistant) Add poorly controlled Add refractory (medically) Add treatment resistant Add Excludes: hippocampal sclerosis (348...
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Article Overview
This article covers an ICD-9-CM update affecting epilepsy and recurrent seizure classification, with emphasis on new inclusion terms for a fifth-digit subclassification and related terminology changes. It is relevant for coders, CDI staff, and billing teams working with neurologic diagnoses because it clarifies which broad diagnostic language falls within the updated category structure and references related exclusion terms. The article also notes a category-specific entry for generalized convulsive epilepsy and associated terminology updates.
Why This Topic Matters
It helps users understand how a coding update changes the scope of epilepsy-related diagnosis reporting and what terminology is tied to the revised subclassification structure.
What You Will Learn
- How an ICD-9-CM epilepsy category was updated
- Which broad terminology was added to the intractable epilepsy subclassification
- How related epilepsy terminology is organized within the category structure
- Which related diagnoses are referenced in connection with the update
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation improvement professionals
- Billing staff
- Health information management professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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