Pathology/Lab Coding Alert

You can forget vague drug-use-pattern terms like “remission,” “episodic,” or “continuous” when you report opioid dependence using ICD-10 instead of ICD-9. Make sure you’re ready to make the change when the new code set goes into effect on Oct. 1 of this year. 

 

Old Way Requires 2 Codes

 

If you report opioid dependence using ICD-9, you’ll currently select one of the following codes:

But if the clinician also reports delirium or withdrawal, you have to report a separate code to describe that condition, such as 292.81 (Drug-induced delirium) or 292.0 (Drug withdrawal). 

 

1 ICD-10 Code Tells All

 

That changes under ICD-10, because the code set incorporates manifestations into the primary code for opioid dependence. Beginning Oct. 1, instead of three codes, you’ll choose from the following options from ICD-10:

Notice that F11.22_, F11.25_, and F11.28_ require a sixth digit. For instance, you should select one of the following for opioid dependence with intoxication: