Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

ICD-10 gives primary lateral sclerosis its own code.

Neurology and PM coders will have to wrangle with some new ICD-10 codes in 2018, along with a lot of more descriptive entries below currently existing diagnosis codes.

Check it out: Here are a few more ICD-10 changes you’ll want to note before the new rules become the law of the land.

Motor Neuron Conditions Add Trio of Codes

The codes for motor neuron disease will get more specific in 2018, with the addition of some new diagnoses in the G12.2 (Motor neuron disease) code set.

In 2017 …: You have the following codes to choose from for any type of motor neuron disease:

• G12.20, Motor neuron disease, unspecified
• G12.21, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Progressive spinal muscle atrophy

• G12.22, Progressive bulbar palsy
• G12.29, Other motor neuron disease

Familial motor neuron disease Primary lateral sclerosis

In 2018, …: The G12.2- diagnosis family will sport three new codes, moving certain conditions out of descriptors for other motor neuron diseases (changes in bold):

• G12.20, Motor neuron disease, unspecified
• G12.21 Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• G12.22, Progressive bulbar palsy
• G12.23, Primary lateral sclerosis
• G12.24, Familial motor neuron disease
• G12.25, Progressive spinal muscle atrophy
• G12.29, Other motor neuron disease

Impact: The new codes will also affect how you use the currently existing codes, as you’ll now have more specific codes for motor neuron disease coding. Along with the additions, ICD-10 2018 will tighten up the other motor neuron disease codes by:

• deleting “Progressive spinal muscle atrophy” from G12.21; G12.25 will be the 2018 code for this condition.
• deleting “Primary lateral sclerosis” and “Familial motor neuron disease” from G12.29; you’ll have G12.23 for lateral sclerosis and G12.24 for familial motor neuron disease in 2018.