Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: In 2009, our ICD-9 cheat sheet lists 784.49 for hoarseness and for voice change. Will the codes change using ICD-9 2010?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: Yes -- and maybe. According to ICD-9 2010's Alphabetic Index:

• A diagnosis of "hoarseness" codes to 784.42 (Dysphonia). ICD-9 2010 has removed the symptom of "hoarseness" from under 784.49 (Other voice and resonance disorders) and put it under new code 784.42.

• "Voice change" directs you to the nonspecific code 784.49 with a note to see also dysphonia.