Unwrap FY 2021 ICD-10-CM codes, guidelines for Chapter 1, COVID-19, and more

Why This Topic Matters

FY 2021 brought a large set of ICD-10-CM updates, and this article highlights the portions most relevant to infectious diseases and COVID-19 reporting. It helps readers identify where the year’s guideline changes affect diagnosis coding review, documentation review, and code-set monitoring.

Article Sections

1. Summary of overall updates

   Provides a high-level overview of the FY 2021 ICD-10-CM update cycle, including the scale of code and guideline changes. This section frames the article’s more focused discussion of Chapter 1 topics.

2. Chapter 1 ICD-10-CM updates

   Covers selected updates within Chapter 1 of the ICD-10-CM manual, including tick-borne illnesses and related code-category changes. It also notes supporting index updates tied to the chapter revisions.

3. Chapter 1 guideline updates

   Summarizes new and revised Chapter 1 guidance related to COVID-19 reporting and related encounter scenarios. This section also references guidance areas addressing testing, exposure, history, asymptomatic cases, and follow-up care.