ICD-9 2007 Update:
Learn New Symptom, Testing Diagnoses at Your Disposal
Published on Tue Oct 03, 2006
Get ready for 20 new V codes you need to know
If you forgo learning new codes for urinary symptoms, diagnostic testing, pain and other symptoms, you-re not getting the full ICD-9 2007 picture. Make sure you-ve got these categories covered by the Oct. 1 deadline. Add Options to Your Urinary Symptom Arsenal New options: The next round of updated ICD-9 codes will offer two new urinary symptom codes: 788.64 (Urinary hesitancy) and 788.65 (Straining on urination).
Old way: You-ll benefit from the addition of 788.64 and 788.65, two conditions that were previously not listed, says Susan Vogelberger, CPC, CPC-H, CMBS, owner and president of Healthcare Consulting & Coding Education LLC in Boardman, Ohio. You-ve been forced to report these symptoms with 788.9 (Other symptoms involving urinary system), but staring in October you-ll have more specific options.
Example: Your ob-gyn sees a patient for an established E/M visit and evaluates her for possible outflow obstruction. All you have to report are the symptoms until the testing is complete. In this case, you can use 788.64 and 788.65. Claim Victory Over These V Code Additions You-ve got a slew of new V codes to report starting Oct. 1.
ICD-9 2007 has added V codes to more thoroughly complete your diagnosis picture: V86.0 (Estrogen receptor positive status [ER+]) and V86.1 (Estrogen receptor negative status [ER-]). Estrogen is involved in the development of breast cancer, and estrogen receptor status determines the sensitivity of lesions to tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. You should use these codes as your secondary diagnosis.
Example: A patient has postmenopausal estrogen-receptor estrogen-dependent breast cancer. To report this condition, you should report the breast cancer as the primary code (such as 174.x, Malignant neoplasm of female breast [primary]) and V86.0 as your secondary code.
Second, you have two new family history codes--V18.59 (Family history, other digestive disorders) and V18.51 (Family history, colonic polyps). Once V18.51 becomes effective, you-ll be able to use this more specific code instead of V18.5 (Family history; digestive disorders).
You-ll also need to know 20 new V codes that include:
- a change or removal of wound dressings or sutures (V58.30-V58.32) rather than V58.3 (Attention to surgical dressings and sutures)
- pediatric body mass index (V85.51-V85.54) for ages 2-20
- genetic screening codes that include V26.34 (Testing of male for genetic disease carrier status), V26.35 (Encounter for testing of male partner of habitual aborter), V26.39 (Other genetic testing of male), V82.71 (Screening for genetic disease carrier status) and V82.79 (Other genetic screening). Also, ICD-9 revised these V codes: V26.31 (Testing of female for genetic disease carrier status) and V26.32 (Other genetic testing of female). Test Your Knowledge of These Testing Codes When you-re dealing with diagnostic tests, you have a few new 2007 ICD-9 [...]
