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Radiology Coding Alert

Take a Peek at New Pre-Chemo Ultrasound ICD-9 Possibility

Published on Tue Aug 11, 2009

Here's why code changes aren't the whole story. Heads up -- Annual ICD-9 index and note updates can affect your coding, even when related code descriptors don't change. Case in point: The ICD-9 committee received a request to create a code for pre-chemotherapy ultrasounds. The committee decided that because "V codes are reasons for encounter codes, not procedure codes, it would be inappropriate to create such codes" (www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd9/agendaMa08.pdf). Compromise: ICD-9 may add an inclusion note instructing you to assign V72.83 (Other specified preoperative examination) for pre-chemotherapy exams.
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