Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert

Question: I heard that the epilepsy ICD-9 codes have changed. Is this true? And if so, how have they changed?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: Yes. Starting Oct. 1, the codes for partial epilepsy (345.40-345.51) have revised descriptors. You-ll use 345.4x for localization-related partial epilepsy and epileptic syndromes with complex partial seizures, either with (345.41) or without (345.40) mention of intractable epilepsy.
 
The descriptors for 345.5x are similar, except that those codes cover simple partial seizures, either with (345.51) or without (345.50) mention of intractable epilepsy.
 
Also, when you code for other forms of epilepsy and recurrent seizures (345.8x), you can specify with (345.81) or without (345.80) mention of intractable epilepsy.
 
What to do: Educate your physician to make sure he  is specifying whether the seizures are complex or partial, and whether the patient has intractable epilepsy.