ICD-10 Coding Updates

It is coding update time again!  Remember, not only are the ICD-10 codes updated effective October 1^st of every year, but there are also changes to contend with on April 1^st.

If you have not coordinated with your EMR to ensure there is a planned update with the new grouper, now is the time to do that! 

You can view the changes HERE. 

The coding changes include 42 new ICD-10 codes.  None of the new codes qualify as primary under PDGM nor do they provide any comorbidity adjustment.  

Included in the changes are codes related to adult and child financial abuse.  The new codes also include the addition of external cause codes with wording related to the perpetrator of maltreatment and neglect.

Example:  Y07.031 Male partner, former, perpetrator of maltreat and neglect.

Other changes include some additional Z codes related to the Social Determinants of health.

These include the following:

Z55.6 Problems related to health literacy  (Difficulty understanding health related information and medication instructions, problems completing medical forms)

Z58.81 Basic services unavailable in physical environment (Internet, telephone service, utilities—unable to obtain due to unavailability in geographic area or inadequate physical environment)

Z58.89 Other problems related to physical environment

Z59.10 Inadequate housing, unspecified

Z59.11 Inadequate housing environmental temperature (lack of air conditioning or heating)

Z59.12 Inadequate housing utilities (lack of electricity, gas, oil, water)

Z59.19 Other inadequate housing (pest infestation, restriction of space, technical defects in home preventing adequate care, unsatisfactory surroundings)

Z59.87 was modified from material hardship to material hardship due to limited financial resources, NEC.

The following codes received a clinical group reassignment and will no longer be acceptable as a primary diagnosis.

M50.00 (Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, unspecified cervical region)

S06.33AA (Contusion and laceration of cerebrum, unspecified, with loss of consciousness status unknown, initial encounter)

S0636AA (Traumatic hemorrhage of cerebrum, unspecified, with loss of consciousness status unknown, initial encounter)

As a best practice measure, consider coordinating with the provider with orders to update the Plan of Care diagnoses that will fall to the claim on any of your patients in which updates are required.

As always, MAC Legacy is your expert resource when it comes to all things coding!  Please CONTACT US with questions or ask our coding guru directly at nanette.minton@mac-legacy.com