Primary Care Coding Alert

Save yourself the hassle of sorting through the entire 2003 ICD-9 manual with this handy list of the most-pertinent family practice diagnostic changes. Update your encounter form and computer system with the following codes and avoid out-of-date code denials.
 
Although ICD-9 2004 goes into effect Oct. 1, some payers may take six months to update their systems. So check with your insurers to find out when they plan to implement the new and revised codes. For a complete list of changes, visit the Web site http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/icd9code.asp.