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Otolaryngology Coding Alert

READER QUESTION ~ Incorporate 6 Changes to 389 Subcategory

Published on Thu Nov 16, 2006

Question: Is there a new way to code asymmetrical hearing loss?

Louisiana Subscriber

Answer: Yes. Effective, Oct. 1, 2006, you now have a specific code to use for asymmetrical hearing loss: 389.16 (Sensorineural hearing loss, asymmetrical).

ICD-9 previously lumped sensorineural hearing loss under 389.1, which now requires a fifth-digit subclassification.

Otolaryngologist Ann F. Bell proposed an expansion of the sensorineural hearing loss codes -to better differentiate the existing codes and to create codes for asymmetric and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss- in the -Diagnosis Agenda- for the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting on April 1, 2005. The proposal was accepted and incorporated into the ICD-9-CM 2007 Manual.

Sensorineural hearing loss codes now include:

No change   389.10 -- Sensorineural hearing loss, unspecified
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