Orthopedic Coding Alert

Tip: Remember to code to the highest level of specificity.

Want to know if you’re ready for October 1, 2014? Take this three-question challenge, and then check your answers against ours.

Question 1: What’s different about osteoarthritis codes in ICD-10?

A) You need to only specify anatomic location.

B) You need to only specify the status (primary, secondary, unspecified).

C) You need to specify the anatomic location, status (primary, secondary, unspecified), and laterality.

D) You need to specify if the arthritis was localized or generalized.

Question 2: In ICD-9, you should report 996.41 (Mechanical loosening of prosthetic joint) if a component of the prosthesis becomes loose and requires treatment. What should do in ICD-10?

A) You should report T84.019-, the last character depending on the episode of care.

B) You should report T84.02--, the last two characters depending on laterality and the episode of care.

C) You should report T84.03--, the last two characters depending on the anatomical location of the prosthetic joint, the laterality, and the encounter.

D) You should report T84.03--, the last two characters depending on laterality and the encounter.

Question 3: When you shift to ICD-10 and your physician does not document whether a fracture is open or closed, you should code it to _____. When you shift to ICD-10 and your physician does not document whether a fracture is displaced or nondisplaced, you should code it to _____.

A) closed, displaced

B) closed, nondisplaced

C) open, displaced

D) open, nondisplaced

Have your answers? Check page 12 for the solutions.