Primary Care Coding Alert

ICD-10 also establishes new myositis code.

If your family physician diagnoses a patient with fibromyalgia, your only code choice under ICD-9-CM is 729.1 (Myalgia and myositis, unspecified). In October 2013 when ICD-10 goes into effect, three specific codes will replace this unspecified one:

• M60.9 -- Myositis, unspecified
• M79.1 -- Myalgia
• M79.7 -- Fibromyalgia.

These conditions are characterized by muscle or musculoskeletal pain and soft tissue or muscle tenderness. Fibromyalgia patients also experience stiffness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Symptoms of varying intensities increase and decrease over time.

ICD-10 change: Once ICD-10 goes into effect, physicians will need to write more detailed notes than "muscle pain" or "muscle weakness." Having specific diagnoses for myositis, myalgia, and fibromyalgia will mean you need more details in order to code accurately. You'll want to include all three choices on your superbill when space allows, as a reminder for your physician to specify which condition the patient has.