Autistic ICD-9 wording changed, but codes may still not be paid

Article Overview

This article covers autism-related diagnosis reporting in ICD-9 and why the terminology change matters for pediatric practices. It is relevant to pediatricians, billing staff, and clinicians who document referrals, counseling, and medically necessary services involving patients with autism. The article also touches on payer denials, appeal follow-up, and the use of diagnosis placement in routine office visits, without providing a full coding manual or exhaustive payer policy guidance.