Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Tip: Start documenting clearer diagnoses now to prepare for ICD-10 in 2013.If you've felt that your glaucoma diagnoses could use a bit more specificity, ICD-9 will deliver this October if the proposed list of new, deleted, and revised diagnosis codes becomes final.The list of ICD-9 changes was recently posted to the CMS Web site, and includes the final full set of changes that the agency will make to ICD-9 codes. After the new codes take effect on Oct. 1, 2011, CMS will only add new ICD-9 codes on an emergency basis as it prepares to switch over the diagnosis coding system to ICD-10.Your ICD-9 manual will boost its glaucoma offerings with the following changes proposed to take effect on Oct. 1 of this year:Revised code:365.01 -- Borderline glaucoma; open angle with borderline findings, low riskNew codes:365.05 -- Borderline glaucoma; open angle with borderline findings, high risk365.06 -- ...primary angle closure without glaucoma damage365.70 -- [...]