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Anesthesia Coding Alert

ICD-10:

Pain Management Coders, Prepare for More Acquired Spondylolysis Options

Published on Wed Feb 02, 2011

Catch-all code 738.4 to split into multiple diagnoses. ICD-10 Codes implementation in 2013 is coming fast, so take steps now to prepare. Each month, Anesthesia Coding Alert will highlight a common diagnosis code for anesthesia or pain management and how it might change with ICD-10. Acquired spondylolysis is one condition you'll have many more options for with ICD-10, according to Marvel Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, ACS-PM, CHCO, owner of MJH Consulting in Denver, Co. Current code: 738.4 (Acquired spondylolisthesis) ICD-10 changes: M43.0x offers options for various types of spondylolysis, and code family M43.1x addresses various spondylolisthesis diagnoses. The current "catch-all" code 738.4 includes both degenerative spondylolisthesis and acquired spondylolysis. ICD-9 doesn't list separate codes for various spinal regions, which can keep your diagnosis selection from being as accurate as you might like. ICD-10 will help you choose more specific diagnoses. The fourth digit "0" or "1" differentiates [...]
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