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Orthopedic Coding Alert

ICD-9 Reminder:

Start Using Your New Diagnosis Codes on Oct. 1

Published on Mon Sep 26, 2005

Orthopedic coders cheered earlier this year when  ICD-9 2006 introduced nine new prosthesis or implant complication diagnosis codes. So don't forget to start using the new codes as of Oct. 1, when most insurers will stop accepting old codes and start requiring the new ones.

Deletion reminder: ICD-9 will delete the unspecific code 996.4 (Mechanical complication of internal orthopedic device, implant, and graft) to make room for more detailed codes. Therefore, Medicare and many other payers will deny claims with 996.4 listed on them.

For more information on the new diagnosis codes, check out our article -New Diagnosis Codes Eliminate Ambiguity When You Report Prosthesis Complications - in the July issue of Orthopedic Coding Alert.
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