AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2003 Fourth Quarter; VOLUMES 1 & 2 NEW/REVISED CODES
Impaired Fasting Glucose
Effective October 1, 2003, code 790.2, Abnormal glucose, has been expanded to separately identify impaired fasting glucose (790.21) and impaired glucose tolerance test (790.22). Recommendations from the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus include a new stage of impaired glucose homeostasis called impaired fasting glucose (IFG). IFG is defined as a random fasting glucose of > or = to 110 mg/dl but < or = to 126 mg/dl. IFG is considered different from an abnormal glucose tolerance test or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). IGT is defined as glucose obtained during an oral...
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Article Overview
This premium article is about an ICD-9-CM coding update effective October 1, 2003, focused on abnormal glucose findings and the addition of more specific categories related to impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance. It is intended for coders and documentation specialists who need to understand the broader clinical and coding context, documentation limitations, and why laboratory results alone are not enough for code assignment. The article also references related diagnosis groupings and exclusions that support documentation review.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding this update helps coders and clinical documentation staff recognize when glucose-related documentation may need clarification and how the post-October 1, 2003 structure differs from the prior single-code approach.
Article Sections
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Coding update and clinical background
Introduces the effective date of the update and explains the general clinical context for impaired fasting glucose and related glucose findings.
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Documentation guidance for coders
Describes the informational purpose of the article and the need to review physician documentation rather than relying only on laboratory values.
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ICD-9-CM code revision summary
Summarizes the revised abnormal glucose category and the associated related conditions noted for exclusion or comparison.
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New specific glucose-related codes
Identifies the newly separated glucose-related diagnostic categories introduced by the update.
What You Will Learn
- How the article frames the 2003 ICD-9-CM change for abnormal glucose findings
- The general clinical context for impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance
- Why documentation review is emphasized for glucose-related diagnoses
- Which broader diagnosis categories are referenced in the revised coding structure
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Physician query staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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