Primary Care Coding Alert

Prepare for 5 ��" not 2 ��" code choices in 2013.

You may know the diagnosis codes for ADD and ADHD by heart -- but you'll have to forget them when ICD-10 takes effect. Come Oct. 1, 2013, you'll have five new ADD and ADHD codes applicable to your claims.

Under the ICD-9 coding system, you have two general codes for these conditions:

ICD-10 Changes: Under the ICD-10 coding system, you'll find that your diagnosis coding options are expanded and require more specificity. Your new coding options will be:

Documentation: With ICD-10, the physician has a specific code to tell the insurer that the patient has both ADD and ADHD (F90.2, combined type). Therefore, the documentation should clearly reflect the specific condition that the FP diagnoses, whether it's ADD, ADHD, combined type, or another type.

Practice tips: For unspecified ADHD diagnoses, you'll have to report F90.9, but this code will most likely only apply if you do not document enough information to allow you to report a more specific code. If you find that you're reporting F90.9 frequently, get to know the specifics of the new ADD and ADHD codes so you can ensure that your claims are as specific as possible.