Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

Expect ICD-10 to have you code first for HIV complicating pregnancy.

Barring ICD-10 changes before its implementation on Oct. 1, 2013, converting your HIV diagnosis reporting from ICD-9 to ICD-10 shouldn't be too complicated.

The two diagnosis coding systems provide a one-to-one crosswalk, as follows:

Even the lists of "includes" and "excludes" conditions align from ICD-9 to ICD- 10, making your job that much easier.

For instance: Codes 042 and B20 both include acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS], AIDS-related complex [ARC], and symptomatic HIV infection.

Exception: Once you begin using ICD-10 to report HIV infection for a pregnant patient, you'll need to code first O98.7 (Human immunodeficiency [HIV] disease complicating pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium). ICD-9 does not provide a similar code or instruction.