Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

The 2002 ICD-9 manual is now available. Revisions to the manual, first announced in CMS program memorandum transmittal AB-01-91, change request 1661, dated June 28, 2001, include the addition of new codes and deletions of and revisions to existing codes.
 
Note: CMS transmittal AB-01-91, change request 1661, is available for viewing on the CMS Web site at http://www.hcfa.gov/pubforms/transmit/AB0191.pdf.
 
Changes to volumes 1 and 2 (tabular and alphabetic listing of diagnoses/codes) of the ICD-9 will have little affect on neurology practices because diagnoses commonly used by neurologists have undergone no revisions or additions. The E codes used in support of workers' compensation codes which neurologists must access on occasion have had extensive revisions.
 
CMS instructed all Medicare carriers to begin accepting the new codes as of Oct. 1, 2001, although the 2001 codes may be used until the end of the year. The grace period allows providers time to obtain and integrate the updated codes into their billing systems. Commercial carriers may not accept the revised codes until Jan. 1, 2002, at which time the new ICD-9s will become mandatory for all payers.
 
Despite the minimal changes, all physician offices should purchase the updated version of ICD-9.
 
Note: To order ICD-9 manuals, contact the AMA at 800-621-8335, or visit the Association's Web site at http://www.ama-assn.org/catalog.