When your urologist performs an orchiopexy procedure, you’ll most likely use one of the following diagnosis codes along with the procedure code:
· 752.51 — Undescended testis (includes ectopic testicle)
· 752.52 — Retractile testis.
When ICD-10 takes effect in 2014, you will still have just one code for retractile testis: Q55.22 (Retractile testis). You will have multiple codes to replace 752.51, however. You will need to scour your urologist’s documentation to get the details to choose from the following new codes:
· Q53.00 — Ectopic testis, unspecified
· Q53.01 — Ectopic testis, unilateral
· Q53.02 — Ectopic testes, bilateral
· Q53.10 — Unspecified undescended testicle, unilateral
· Q53.11 — Abdominal testis, unilateral
· Q53.12 — Ectopic perineal testis, unilateral
· Q53.20 — Undescended testicle, unspecified, bilateral
· Q53.21 — Abdominal testis, bilateral
· Q53.22 — Ectopic perineal testis, bilateral
· Q53.9 — Undescended testicle, unspecified.
Physician documentation: Your urologist should already be documenting the specifics of the type of testicular problem the patient has, and for the most accurate ICD-10 coding you should encourage your urologist to continue being specific on every operative report.
Superbill updates: Keep in mind that because 752.51 won’t have a one-to-one code crosswalk, you probably will need to make additional room on your superbill for these ICD-10 diagnostic codes.
Don’t forget: CMS has announced a proposed implementation date change from Oct. 1, 2013 to Oct. 1, 2014 for the new diagnosis code set.