decisionhealth Newsletters, Coder Pink Sheets - 2011 Issue 6 (June)
Diagnosis coding corner: Proposed ICD-9 changes include new skin cancer, E. coli codes
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Article Overview
This article summarizes proposed ICD-9-CM diagnosis code updates that were being considered for a future effective date. It highlights broad areas of change across multiple specialties and explains that the update included new, revised, and invalidated diagnosis codes tied to conditions such as skin cancer, infectious disease, glaucoma, bariatric complications, vascular abnormalities, pregnancy-related situations, and orthopedic aftercare. The piece is useful for coders, billers, and clinical practices tracking diagnosis code revisions and planning for upcoming reporting changes.
Why This Topic Matters
The article helps coding and billing professionals understand which clinical areas were affected by the proposed ICD-9-CM update and why practices in different specialties needed to review their workflows and documentation for the upcoming code changes.
Article Sections
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Overview of proposed ICD-9-CM changes
Introduces the scope and timing of the proposed diagnosis code updates and notes that several specialties would be affected. It also places the changes in the broader transition context for ICD code sets.
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Dermatology and infectious disease updates
Covers proposed diagnosis code revisions involving skin cancer classification and a gastrointestinal infection-related organism category. The section also references related vaccine reaction categories.
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Ophthalmology updates
Describes proposed changes related to glaucoma staging, risk classification, and family history categories for eye disorders. The focus is on how the update expands diagnosis specificity for eye care reporting.
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Digestive and bariatric procedure complications
Summarizes proposed diagnosis codes for complications associated with gastric banding and other bariatric procedures. It explains that a new code series was being considered for these conditions.
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Cardiology and congenital vascular conditions
Reviews proposed updates for arterial embolism and thrombosis, along with abnormalities involving the pulmonary artery and pulmonary circulation. The section also notes congenital anomaly terminology discussed in the source.
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Obstetrics and gynecology updates
Covers proposed diagnosis changes involving vaginal mesh complications, planned cesarean delivery situations, and pregnancy history or risk-related categories. It addresses both procedure-related and pregnancy-related reporting areas.
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Orthopedic and fracture-related updates
Discusses proposed categories for acquired absence of joints, aftercare following joint prosthesis explantation, and certain pelvic fracture situations. The section focuses on musculoskeletal reporting changes.
What You Will Learn
- Which major clinical specialties were affected by the proposed ICD-9-CM diagnosis update
- What general types of diagnosis categories were added, revised, or invalidated
- How the article organizes proposed changes by body system or clinical area
- Which organizations or committees were involved in the proposed update process
- What timing and implementation context surrounded the proposed ICD-9-CM revisions
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Coding auditors
- Billing staff
- Revenue cycle professionals
- Physician practice managers
- Clinical documentation staff
Codes Discussed
Code Ranges Discussed
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