Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

2011 will be the last time ICD-9 is updated in entirety.

CMS has followed through on its proposal to update the ICD-9 code set one last time on Oct. 1, 2011, after which no ICD-9 codes will be added to the set except for those updates required for new technologies and diseases.

That's the word from the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting, held on Sept. 15 and 16, where CMS's Pat Brooks explained the following process for ICD-9 and ICD-10 code updates:

• Oct 1, 2011: The last, regular, annual updates will be made to the ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets
• Oct 1, 2012: Limited code updates to the ICD-9 and ICD-10 code sets to capture new technologies and diseases
• Oct. 1, 2013: Limited code updates to ICD-10 code set to capture new technologies and diagnoses; ICD-9 will no longer be used for reporting purposes, so no updates to that code set will take place
• Oct. 1, 2014: Regular updates to ICD-10 will begin Vendors, payers, and coding educators have asked CMS to freeze the current diagnosis code set to help make ICD-10 transition planning simpler, so the announcement that CMS has confirmed a code set freeze should assist you when you're trying to get the hang of ICD-10 coding.

Committee Mulls Additional ICD-9 Options for 2011

The ICD-9 Coordination and Maintenance Committee also considered several diagnosis code additions during its meeting.

For example, the Committee reviewed literature noting that codes 00.56 (Insertion/ replacement of implantable pressure sensor for intracardiac or great vessel hemodynamic monitoring) and 00.57 (Implantation or replacement of subcutaneous device for intracardiac or great vessel hemodynamic monitoring) do not accurately describe new technology that allows surgeons to implant only the sensor of such a device into the great vessel.

Therefore, the Committee recommended introducing new code 38.26 (Insertion of implantable wireless pressure sensor for intracardiac or great vessel hemodynamic monitoring), but until that code is finalized, coders should continue to use 00.56 and 00.57 for these services.

To read the entire handout from the ICD-9-CM Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting, visit www.cms.gov/ICD9ProviderDiagnosticCodes/03_meetings.asp and click on "Sept. 15-16, 2010 Meeting Documents."