AHA Coding Clinic® for ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS - 2016 Issue 4; ICD-10-CM NEW/REVISED CODES
Retinal Vein Occlusion
Seventh characters have been added to subcategory H34.8, Other retinal vein occlusions, to designate the severity of the occlusion: 0, with macular edema 1, with retinal neovascularization 2, stable Retinal vein occlusion (RVO), blockage of the venous circulation that carries blood away from the retina, is one of the most common causes of vision loss. When the small veins of the retina are blocked, pressure builds in the capillaries, causing hemorrhage of fluid and blood. Similar to...
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Article Overview
This article reviews retinal vein occlusion, its common forms and clinical context, and an ICD-10-CM update affecting subcategory H34.8. It is intended for coding professionals and clinical documentation staff who need to understand the general topic, the affected code structure, and the types of severity/status information the update is meant to capture. The discussion stays focused on why the code change matters for documentation and classification of retinal vein occlusion cases.
Why This Topic Matters
Accurate documentation and classification of retinal vein occlusion cases depend on recognizing the affected ICD-10-CM category and understanding the general purpose of the added seventh-character structure.
Article Sections
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Seventh-character update for H34.8
Introduces the ICD-10-CM category affected by the update and the general severity/status framework added to the code structure.
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Retinal vein occlusion overview
Describes retinal vein occlusion, its place among causes of vision loss, and broad mechanisms associated with the condition.
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Clinical forms and severity
Summarizes the major anatomic forms and the general ways severity and symptoms may vary by location and extent of occlusion.
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Associated findings and treatment context
Covers common retinal findings associated with the condition and the broader treatment context referenced in the article.
What You Will Learn
- The general clinical background of retinal vein occlusion.
- Which ICD-10-CM subcategory is affected by the update.
- The broad purpose of the added seventh-character structure.
- How the article frames severity, location, and associated retinal findings.
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Clinical documentation specialists
- Ophthalmology practice staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
Codes Discussed
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