AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2008 Issue 4; VOLUMES 1 AND 2 NEW/REVISED CODES
Hungry Bone Syndrome
Effective October 1, 2008, a new code (275.5) has been created to uniquely identify hungry bone syndrome (HBS). Prior to these changes, HBS was assigned to code 275.41, Hypocalcemia. Hungry bone syndrome (HBS) is a state of marked and prolonged hypocalcemia. HBS occurs in approximately 12% of patients post-parathyroidectomy. Symptoms include seizures, arrhythmia, prolonged QT, numbness, tetany, parasthesia, Chvostek’s sign, and Trousseau’s sign. HBS usually involves an extended history of prior elevated levels of parathyroid hormone, with some related bone demineralization, potentially with osteoporosis. The change in parathyroid hormone level to...
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Article Overview
This article covers a coding update related to hungry bone syndrome, including the effective date of the change, its placement within the ICD-9-CM mineral metabolism chapter, and the relationship to closely related calcium metabolism coding. It also discusses the condition’s general clinical context after parathyroidectomy or thyroidectomy and why the update matters for diagnosis classification and code selection review.
Why This Topic Matters
The article is relevant to coders and clinical documentation staff who need to recognize that hungry bone syndrome became its own diagnosis category and is no longer grouped only under a broader hypocalcemia code. It also helps readers understand the type of postoperative mineral imbalance documentation that may prompt attention to this diagnosis update.
Article Sections
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Clinical background
Summarizes the condition’s general postoperative context, associated mineral changes, and common clinical features discussed in relation to calcium, magnesium, and phosphate metabolism.
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ICD-9-CM code update
Describes the creation of a separate diagnosis category within the ICD-9-CM mineral metabolism chapter and its relationship to the broader calcium metabolism section.
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Coding example
Presents a postoperative documentation scenario and the coding outcome discussed in the article.
What You Will Learn
- How the article situates hungry bone syndrome within an ICD-9-CM update
- What broader clinical context is associated with hungry bone syndrome
- Why the article is relevant for diagnosis classification and coding review
- How the article frames a postoperative documentation scenario involving mineral abnormalities
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation staff
- Billing and reimbursement professionals
- Health information management professionals
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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