Orthopedic Coding Alert

Codes go into effect in October 2019, so know them well.

There’s a new list of ICD-10 codes to consider for 2020.

Anyone who’s played the diagnosis coding game knows that these codes go into effect on October 1, 2019, so the 2020 tag is a bit misleading.

Orthopedic practices will be dealing with diagnosis code revisions as well as the new codes outlined in “Laterality Is the Reason for New ICD-10 2020 Codes.” Check out what you’ll need to know to remain spot-on in your diagnosis coding with the 2020 codes.

Disc Disorder, Ruptures Highlight Revisions

There aren’t really any new ICD-10 codes that are ortho-relevant, but there are some revisions to existing codes that you’ll want to make sure you know in order for correct coding.

The revised codes include:

• M50.120 (Mid-cervical disc disorder, unspecified level). ICD-10 revised this code for 2020, adding “level” to the end of the code descriptor.
• M66.88 (Spontaneous rupture of other tendons, other sites). ICD-10 added “sites” to the end of the code descriptor.
• M67.839 (Other specified disorders of synovium and tendon, unspecified wrist). ICD-10 replaced  “forearm” with “wrist” in the code descriptor.

On October 1, be sure to keep these revisions in mind so you stay atop of the heap with your diagnosis coding accuracy.

Foot/Ankle Codes Could Come Into Play

Another set of revisions includes the ICD-10 codes for certain congenital conditions affecting the foot and ankle.

Here’s a rundown of the revised foot/ankle codes:

• M77.5 — Other enthesopathy of foot and ankle
• M77.50 — Other enthesopathy of unspecified foot and ankle
• M77.51  — Other enthesopathy of right foot and ankle
• M77.52  — Other enthesopathy of left foot and ankle.

Revisions: In ICD-10 2019, all of the above codes ended with “foot.” Since ICD-10 2020 adds “and ankle” to all of these codes, you will be able to use them in more circumstances.

According to Jean Acevedo, LHRM, CPC, CHC, CENTC, president and CEO of Acevedo Consulting Incorporated in Delray Beach, Florida, orthopedic practices are becoming more and more likely to treat patients with these foot/ankle deformities.

“Many orthopedic practices have incorporated  surgically focused podiatrists into the mix of orthopedic subspecialties,” Acevedo says. “So orthopedic practices may find the new codes, and their specificity, beneficial for accurately and completely reporting a patient’s condition.” Some ortho practices also employ fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle specialists.