General Surgery Coding Alert

In its annual update of ICD-9 codes, CMS announced the introduction of three new diagnosis codes for mammograms, and four new constipation diagnosis codes were introduced.
 
As of Oct. 1, 2001, 793.8 (abnormal mammogram) is deleted and should not be used. It will be replaced by three new codes:

  793.80 -- abnormal mammogram, unspecified
  793.81 -- mammographic microcalcification
  793.89 -- other abnormal findings on radiological examination of breast.
The new codes were introduced so microcalcification could be distinguished from other mammographic findings. Microcalcification, a common abnormal finding on a mammogram, invariably leads to biopsy and, sometimes, verification of a malignancy. This finding differs from the appearance of a lump.
 
Similarly, the only ICD-9 code available to indicate constipation (564.0) has been deleted. In its place are four new codes:
 
564.00 -- constipation, unspecified
564.01 -- slow transit constipation
564.02 -- outlet dysfunction constipation
564.09 -- other constipation.
Note: Only Medicare carriers are likely to recognize the new codes before Jan. 1, 2002. Unless your commercial carrier specifies that the new codes are acceptable before that time, use the new codes for Medicare only between Oct. 1, 2001, and Jan. 1, 2002.