General Surgery Coding Alert
New ICD-9s Effective Oct. 1
As of Oct. 1, 2001, 793.8 (abnormal mammogram) is deleted and should not be used. It will be replaced by three new codes:
The new codes were introduced so microcalcification could be distinguished from other mammographic findings. Microcalcification, a common abnormal finding on a mammogram, invariably leads to biopsy and, sometimes, verification of a malignancy. This finding differs from the appearance of a lump.
Similarly, the only ICD-9 code available to indicate constipation (564.0) has been deleted. In its place are four new codes:
Note: Only Medicare carriers are likely to recognize the new codes before Jan. 1, 2002. Unless your commercial carrier specifies that the new codes are acceptable before that time, use the new codes for Medicare only between Oct. 1, 2001, and Jan. 1, 2002.
General Surgery Coding Alert
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Standby Services
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New ICD-9s Effective Oct. 1
In its annual update of ICD-9 codes, CMS announced the introduction of three new diagnosis [...] - Reader Question:
Bilateral Ligation of Temporal Artery
Question: My surgeon frequently performs bilateral ligations or biopsies of the temporal artery. Although 37609 [...] - Reader Question:
Botox and Anal Fissures
Question: Which CPT code should be used to report Botox injections for anal fissures? Are [...] - Reader Question:
Carotid Artery Plication
Question: My doctor performed a carotid endarterectomy followed by a plication because the carotid artery [...]
