Cardiology Coding Alert

Don't assume -- let the inclusion notes guide your angina code choice.When ICD-10 replaces ICD-9, you'll need to know whether cardiac angina falls under "other" or "unspecified" angina pectoris. Here are some tips to keep your coding compliant. The diagnosis: Angina pectoris refers to chest pain or discomfort caused by coronary heart disease.ICD-9-CM codes:413.9, Other and unspecified angina pectorisICD-10-CM codes:I20.8, Other forms of angina pectorisI20.9, Angina pectoris, unspecifiedICD-9 coding rules: Code 413.9, as an "other and unspecified" code, is appropriate for Angina: NOS, cardiac, equivalent, of effort; angina syndrome; status anginosus; stenocardia; and syncope anginosa. You also have an instruction to use additional code(s) for symptoms associated with angina equivalent. And ICD-9 provides an excludes note, telling you to report 411.1 for preinfarction angina.ICD-10 changes: ICD-10 splits your options, using I20.8 for "other" angina and I20.9 for "unspecified" angina. Code I20.8 will be appropriate for angina equivalent, angina of effort, coronary slow [...]