News you can use :This Fall, Swine Flu Dx Is for the Birds

Why This Topic Matters

It helps coding staff track a time-sensitive ICD-9-CM change during a public health event and understand when a new influenza diagnosis code becomes available in the 2010 edition.

Article Sections

1. Interim diagnosis coding guidance

   Discusses the short-term approach to influenza diagnosis coding during the H1N1 outbreak and the professional guidance being cited. It frames the issue as a temporary coding question pending a code-set update.

2. Transition to the 2010 ICD-9-CM code set

   Summarizes the planned change in the 2010 ICD-9-CM tabular list and the broader influenza category structure. It explains that the article is focused on the upcoming update and timing of the switch.

3. Reference to the new H1N1 influenza entry

   Notes the appearance of the novel H1N1 influenza entry in the updated code set and the public health context behind its creation. It also references the organization supplying the update information.