Oncology & Hematology Coding Alert

Look Beyond New ICD-9 Code List for Clean Claims Clues

Watch for these 2 still-to-come notes and index changes. As long as the list of 2010 ICD-9 revisions is, it isnt the full story, of course. Index and note changes can affect your coding, too, even when related code descriptors dont change. Here are two potential changes that may be coming your way. 1. The ICD-9 committee received a request to create a code for pre-chemotherapy ultrasounds. The committee decided that because V codes are reasons for encounter codes, not procedure codes, it would be inappropriate to create such codes (www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd9/agendaMa08.pdf). Compromise: ICD-9 may add an inclusion note instructing you to assign V72.83 (Other specified preoperative examination) for pre-chemotherapy exams. 2. Patrick S. Romano, MD, MPH, proposed transfusion reaction code changes (such as 999.87, Other specified transfusion reaction) on behalf of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The goal was to separate ABO incompatibility reactions from minor antigen [...]
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in Revenue Cycle Insider
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more