Reader Question:
Be Precise With ICD-9 Codes
Published on Tue Apr 01, 2003
Question: Are lumbar discogenic disease and lumbar disc disease coded 722.10 (Lumbar intervertebral disc without myelopathy)? Is this appropriate for lumbar disc disease with radiculopathy? Kentucky Subscriber Answer: A more accurate code for lumbar discogenic disease (also known as lumbar disc disease) is 722.52 (Degeneration of lumbar or lumbosacral intervertebral disc). If the patient also has radiculopathy, you should submit 724.4 (Thoracic or lumbosacral neuritis or radiculitis, unspecified) as a secondary code to offer the insurer a full picture of the patient's condition. Clinical and coding expertise for You Be the Coder and Reader Questions provided by Eric Sandham, CHC, CPC, compliance manager for Central California Faculty Medical Group, a group practice and training facility associated with the University of California at San Francisco in Fresno.
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