Gastroenterology Coding Alert
Wait For ICD-10 to Get Out of 'Unspecified' Appendix Code
Question: Our physician performed a procedure to remove the patient’s appendix. The pathology reported noted, "diverticulum of appendix." I know we would use diagnosis 540 for appendicitis, but am not sure about this condition. What do we report?
Maryland Subscriber
Answer: You should choose 543.9 (Other and unspecified diseases of appendix) for diverticulum of appendix. Even if the patient presented with appendicitis symptoms, you should code the diverticulum diagnosis if it’s known at the time of billing.
Future coding: Beginning Oct. 1, 2014, you’ll have a specific code for the condition in ICD-10 — K38.2 (Diverticulum of appendix). This is part of a larger group of more-specific codes that will replace 543.9 under the new code set. Those expanded choices will be:
K38.1 — Appendicular concretions
K38.2 — Diverticulum of appendix
K38.3 — Fistula of appendix
K38.8 — Other specified diseases of appendix
K38.9 — Disease of appendix, unspecified
Gastroenterology Coding Alert
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