Gastroenterology Coding Alert

ICD-9 in the News:

Get Ready to Meet the New BMI Code Family in 2006

Published on Tue May 10, 2005

V85.xx will signify patient body mass index starting Oct. 1

The latest revision of the ICD-9-CM code manual will include several new codes relevant to gastroenterologists, including a new code family for measuring body mass index (BMI).

Gastroenterology coders should pay closest attention to the following new codes, says Michael Weinstein, MD, a gastroenterologist in Washington, D.C., and former member of the CPT advisory panel:

276.50 - Volume depletion, unspecified
276.51 - Dehydration
276.52 - Hypovolemia
278.02 - Overweight
567.21 - Peritonitis (acute) generalized
567.22 - Peritoneal abscess
567.23 - Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
567.29 - Other suppurative peritonitis
567.38 - Other retroperitoneal abscess
567.39 - Other retroperitoneal infections
567.81 - Choleperitonitis
567.82 - Sclerosing mesenteritis
567.89 - Other specified peritonitis
V18.9 - Family history, genetic disease carrier
V26.31 - Testing for genetic disease carrier status
V26.32 - Other genetic testing
V26.33 - Genetic counseling
V85.0 - Body mass index less than 19, adult
V85.1 - Body mass index between 19-24, adult
V85.21 - Body mass index 25.0-25.9, adult
V85.22 - Body mass index 26.0-26.9, adult
V85.23 - Body mass index 27.0-27.9, adult
V85.24 - Body mass index 28.0-28.9, adult
V85.25 - Body mass index 29.0-29.9, adult
V85.30 - Body mass index 30.0-30.9, adult
V85.31 - Body mass index 31.0-31.9, adult
V85.32 - Body mass index 32.0-32.9, adult
V85.33 - Body mass index 33.0-33.9, adult
V85.34 - Body mass index 34.0-34.9, adult
V85.35 - Body mass index 35.0-35.9, adult
V85.36 - Body mass index 36.0-36.9, adult
V85.37 - Body mass index 37.0-37.9, adult
V85.38 - Body mass index 38.0-38.9, adult
V85.39 - Body mass index 39.0-39.9, adult
V85.4 - Body mass index 40 and over, adult Deletion note: In addition to the arsenal of new codes that will be effective Oct. 1, there is also one notable deletion: Code 276.5 (Volume depletion) will be invalid, Weinstein says.

Note: Look for more information on the new ICD-9 codes in upcoming issues of Gastroenterology Coding Alert.

You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.

Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:

Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more