AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-9 - 2008 Issue 4; VOLUMES 1 AND 2 NEW/REVISED CODES
Plantar Wart
Effective October 1, 2008, code 078.12, Plantar wart, has been created to specifically identify plantar warts. Verruca plantaris, commonly known as plantar warts, are benign growths that occur on areas of pressure such as the heel or ball of the foot. They are rough and flat so that they resemble the layers of dead skin that cover a corn or callus, but plantar warts have a black center or pinpoints of black. Plantar warts are often contracted when the human papilloma virus (HPV) invades the epidermis of the foot through a small cut or abrasion. HPV thrives in...
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Article Overview
This article reviews a diagnosis coding update for plantar wart within the viral warts section of the virus-related disease classification. It provides background on the condition, the effective date of the change, and the surrounding code-family revisions that affect how the wart category is organized. The content is relevant to coders, auditors, clinicians, and billing staff who work with diagnosis classification updates and skin-related viral conditions.
Why This Topic Matters
Plantar wart was given its own diagnosis code, which affects how this common foot condition is represented in administrative data and claim records. The article also shows the related updates to the broader viral warts category, making it useful for anyone tracking diagnosis code changes over time.
Article Sections
-
Coding update and clinical background
Introduces the diagnosis update and summarizes the condition at a high level, including general features and common contexts in which it appears. It also notes the effective date associated with the change.
-
Classification changes within viral warts
Shows where the new diagnosis fits within the broader viral warts category and summarizes related revisions to the surrounding code family. This section is focused on the structure of the classification update rather than detailed coding guidance.
What You Will Learn
- How the plantar wart topic is positioned within the broader viral warts classification
- What timing information is associated with the diagnosis code update
- How related revisions to nearby diagnosis categories are grouped in the article
- What general clinical context is provided for plantar warts
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Compliance professionals
- Clinicians
- Practice managers
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
Subscribe or sign in to view the full article.
Quick, Current, Complete - www.findacode.com