Primary Care Coding Alert

ICD-9 beefs up traumatic brain injury code set to make TBI treatments easier to explain.Coders who want more control over accurately reporting their patients' body mass index (BMI) measurements can breathe easier starting Oct.1, when ICD-9 2011 debuts an expanded BMI V code set.The new diagnosis code manual will also feature several codes that will help FP practices that treat patients who suffer neurological symptoms after falls.ICD-9 2011 will contain the following new codes that should help you diagnose your patients with certain neurological injuries:780.33 (Post traumatic seizures)799.51 (Attention or concentration deficit)799.52 (Cognitive communication deficit)799.53 (Visuospatial deficit)799.54 (Psychomotor deficit)799.55 (Frontal lobe and executive function deficit)799.59 (Other signs and symptoms involving cognition)."Here in Washington state, and I believe in other states as well, there are quite a few new laws related to care for post-TBI (traumatic brain injury) patients," explains Marcella Bucknam, CPC, CCS-P, CPC-H, CCS, CPC-P, CPC-I, CCC, COBGC, manager [...]