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Neurosurgery Coding Alert

ICD-10 Update:

Upgrade Your Hydrocephalus Coding With These Tips

Published on Fri Mar 09, 2012

Spina bifida, congenital hydrocephalus map to more specific codes.When you report a communicating, obstructive, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, or one due to other acquired deformity of the head in ICD-10, the good news is the choices aren't extensive. Know the One-To-One MappingSee the table below for the codes you will report for these conditions in ICD-9 and ICD-10.Look to Region for Spina BifidaWhen you report hydrocephalus that occurs with a spina bifida, you turn to ICD-9 code 741.00 (Spina bifida unspecified region with hydrocephalus). The term 'unspecified region' in the descriptor of 741.00 implies that the pathological lesion of a bifid spine may be located anywhere through the length of the spine. So, you report 741.00 irrrespective of the location of the bifid spine when you are reporting a hydrocephalus that occurs with a spina bifida. "With increased awareness of the influence of folate intake by women in early pregnancy, [...]
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