Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Published on Sat Apr 03, 2010 PDF

Say hello to new diagnosis codes for gastro, ob-gyn, cardiology, orthopedics, and more.

If you've felt like your cognitive function coding could use a tune-up, the new batch of ICD-9 codes delivers, with 133 new codes that target your specialty.

That's just the tip of the iceberg, with 141 new codes that you'll be able to use as of Oct. 1. Read on for a few highlights:

Gastro: You'll no longer be able to report 787.6 (Incontinence of feces), because ICD-9 will delete it effective Oct. 1, and replace it with the following new, expanded code set:

• 787.60 -- Full incontinence of feces

• 787.61 -- Incomplete defecation

• 787.62 -- Fecal smearing

• 787.63 -- Fecal urgency.

Neurology: The ICD-9 manual will add a new Cognition category with the addition of the following seven codes:

• 799.50 -- Unspecified signs and symptoms involving cognition

• 799.51 -- Attention or concentration deficit

• 799.52 -- Cognitive communication deficit

• 799.53 -- Visuospatial deficit

• 799.54 -- Psychomotor deficit

• 799.55 -- Frontal lobe and executive function deficit

• 799.59 -- Other signs and symptoms involving cognition.

Ob/Gyn: The ICD-9 manual will no longer include code 752.3 (Other anomalies of uterus). Instead, you'll find these seven codes in its place:

• 752.31 -- Agenesis of uterus

• 752.32 -- Hypoplasia of uterus

• 752.33 -- Unicornate uterus

• 752.34 -- Bicornate uterus

• 752.35 -- Septate uterus

• 752.36 -- Arcuate uterus

• 752.39 -- Other anomalies of uterus.

Cardiology: You'll find an expanded "Other disorders of arteries and arterioles" category, with the addition of the following four codes:

• 447.70 -- Aortic ectasia,unspecified site

• 447.71 -- Thoracic aortic ectasia

• 447.72 -- Abdominal aortic ectasia

• 447.73 -- Thoracoabdonimal aortic ectasia.

Orthopedics: ICD-9 will also offer new code 724.03 (Spinal stenosis, lumbar region, with neurogenic claudication).