New codes take effect on Oct. 1--Find out if you're ready. October 1 is just around the corner, and that means you'll soon need to be up and running with the latest ICD-9 changes. Are you wondering where you should focus your time and energy? As we presented in Pediatric Coding Alert Vol. 14, No. 8, pediatric diagnosis code changes aren't abundant this year, but there are still quite a few that could lead you to denied claims if you don't update your forms. The following quiz on the new, revised, and deleted codes will help you determine whether you're on the right track or if you need to brush up on your ICD-9 coding skills. Nail Down Flu Codes Question 1: A 12-year-old patient presents with influenza due to identified novel influenza A virus with pneumonia. Which code should you report? A. 487.0 B. 488.01 C. 488.81 D. 488.82 Answer: C. The ICD-9 Committee has revised the influenza codes several years in a row now, which might make coding these conditions confusing, but the most important fact to keep in mind when reporting these illnesses is to check the documentation for confirmation of the type of influenza that the patient has. When in doubt, check any lab reports or ask the physician to clarify. Keep in mind: Curb TB Test Confusion Question 2: A patient presents for a tuberculosis skin test. The results come back showing that the patient experienced a reaction to the test, but does not have active tuberculosis. Which code should you report? A. 795.51 B. 795.5 C. 795.4 D. 795.52 Answer: A. ICD-9 will also introduce code 795.52 (Nonspecific reaction to cell mediated immunity measurement of gamma interferon antigen response without active tuberculosis) to separate out the former 795.5 category. Ace Anaphylaxis Codes Question 3. A six-year-old patient presents with a rare anaphylactic reaction due to a vaccination that your pediatrician administered earlier in the day. Which ICD-9 code should you report for the doctor's treatment of anaphylaxis? A. 999.4 B. 999.5 C. 999.41 D. 999.42 Answer: D. Previous codes 999.4 (Anaphylactic shock due to serum) and 999.5 (Other serum reaction) have been deleted for the upcoming round of ICD-9, and several other anaphylaxis codes have been revised, including the following, among others: What's the difference? Differentiate Migraine Codes Question 4: A ten-year-old patient presents with a migraine headache with aura, but without status migrainosus. Which code should you report? A. 346.01 B. 346.11 C. 346.21 D. 346.31 Answer: A. Be sure to check the practitioner's documentation for information on whether or not the patient has experienced aura. To read the entire list of new, deleted, and revised ICD-9 codes, visit the CMS Web site at www.cms.gov/ICD9ProviderDiagnosticCodes/07_summarytables.asp.