The 453.x facelift will require you to hunt for more specific upper extremity codes. Oct. 1 and implementation of the 2010 ICD-9 codes may still be a few months away, but CMS is offering a sneak peak at the added, deleted, and revised codes youll need to know. Keep your focus on the embolism and thrombosis codes so youll be ready to report them from day one. Where to look: CMSs proposed Inpatient Prospective Payment System rule includes a list of the expected changes to ICD-9 2010 (
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-10458.pdf, page 409). The proposed rule is also available in the May 22 Federal Register. Phlebitis Frustrations? Join the Club In 2009, your coding options are 451.0-451.9 (Phlebitis and thrombophlebitis) and 453.0-453.9 (Other venous embolism and thrombosis). Problem: Thrombophlebitis is a term that is now rarely used, due to the lack of clinical significance of phlebitis, according to Patrick Romano, MD, MPH, [...]