Podiatry Coding & Billing Alert

Question: Are there any upcoming revisions or ICD-10 changes related to podiatry that I should be aware of?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: A few new codes have been added to the M65.9 section, which are related to disorders of the synovium and tendons. Other than that, however, there aren’t many podiatry-related updates this year. Here is the list:

• M65.96 (Unspecified synovitis and tenosynovitis, lower leg)
  o M65.961 (…right lower leg)
  o M65.962 (…left lower leg)
  o M65.969 (…unspecified lower leg)
• M65.97 (Unspecified synovitis and tenosynovitis, ankle and foot)
  o M65.971(…right ankle and foot)
  o M65.972 (…left ankle and foot)
  o M65.979 (…unspecified ankle and foot)
• M65.98 (Unspecified synovitis and tenosynovitis, other site)
• M65.99 (Unspecified synovitis and tenosynovitis, multiple sites)

Synovium defined: Synovial membranes are slender partitions found within certain joints in your body. They serve to safeguard your joints and facilitate their fluid motion. The ankle is an example of a synovial joint, which are known for their high degree of mobility. These joints are characterized by a hollow space in one bone that accommodates another bone. The bone ends forming a synovial joint are coated with a slick hyaline cartilage.