ICD 10 Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

How to Interpret NEC and NOS in ICD-10

Published on Mon May 07, 2012

Question: I was looking at the ICD-10-CM manual, and I noticed NEC and NOS. I know they stand for Not Elsewhere Classifiable (NEC) and Not Otherwise Specified (NOS), but how should I use them in ICD-10-CM?

California Subscriber

Answer: Like ICD-9, the NEC (Not Elsewhere Classifiable) abbreviation contains codes for "other" types of specified conditions that haven't already been classified. An example is H26.8 (Other specified cataract).

When your physician doesn't clearly specify the condition, you can use a NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) code -- although payers usually frown upon this process. An example is H40.9 (Unspecified glaucoma).

ICD 10 Coding Alert

Your Coding Manual:
Discover How to Navigate Your ICD-10-CM Manual -- And Don't Miss These Subtle Differences
Your Injury/Poisoning codes and E codes completely transform. Good news! You'll find that your ICD-10-CM [...]

ICD-10-PCS:
To Build Your ICD-10-PCS Code, You Must Identify the Root Operation
Hint: If your doc performs two root operations, report two PCS codes.When you build a [...]

Anatomy and Physiology:
N80.2, N83.0 and More: Match the Code to the Female Reproductive Site
Give your coding a boost by tying code digits to actual structures.When your radiologist interprets [...]

Specialties:
Cardiology: I11.- Codes Eliminate Malignant/Benign Dilemma
Your documentation no longer needs to distinguish this attribute.The ICD-10 implementation date has been officially [...]

Urology:
Combine Kidney Plus Ureter Calculus Under 1 Code in ICD-10
Use 2 examples to master Excludes1 vs. Excludes2 notes. Kidney stone sufferers number in the [...]

Family Practice:
Change to R04.0 for Epistaxis Under ICD-10
Plus: Remember right/left modifiers according to payer policy.Under ICD-9 rules, you have just one code [...]

You Be the Coder:
How to Interpret NEC and NOS in ICD-10
Question: I was looking at the ICD-10-CM manual, and I noticed NEC and NOS. I [...]

Reader Question:
30901 Can Pair With E/M Code
Question: A patient experienced a nosebleed while in the office. The hematologist used packing in [...]

Reader Question:
Double Check Coding for Left and Right Lung
Question: If the physician documents that the patient has a primary neoplasm of the right [...]

Reader Question:
ICD-10 is More Specific for Fibromyalgia
Question: Is there a specific code for fibromyalgia?Ohio SubscriberAnswer: Currently, your best option is to [...]

View All