Part B Coding Coach: Prepare Now So Pain Management Diagnosis Coding for 2009 Is No Pain, All Gain

Why This Topic Matters

Headache diagnosis coding is being reorganized in a way that may affect common pain management and neurology claims. Readers who code or document these conditions need to understand the scope of the anticipated ICD-9-CM changes so they can prepare for greater specificity requirements.

Article Sections

1. Code 784.0, Meet 339.XX

   Introduces the anticipated ICD-9-CM headache coding changes and explains the general reason the article is relevant to documentation and diagnosis specificity. It also frames the expected timing of the upcoming code set update.

2. Break Up Cluster Headaches

   Covers the planned restructuring of cluster headache and related headache categories within the new headache code family. It discusses broad documentation concepts tied to subtype differentiation and terminology used in the revised classification.

3. Take the Tension Out of TTH

   Summarizes the anticipated addition of tension-type headache codes and the need to distinguish them from other tension-related diagnoses. It highlights the broader documentation considerations around classification and chapter placement.

4. PTH Earns New Category

   Reviews the expected post-traumatic headache category and its place within the upcoming headache code structure. It emphasizes that documentation may support different levels of specificity depending on the clinical record.