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Radiology Coding Alert

ICD-9 Update:

Be the First to Know Next Year's Codes

Published on Tue May 23, 2006

Prepare to start using this new code for altered mental status

Get ahead of the ICD-9 game with this preview of 2007's new codes.

The lowdown: CMS issued its inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) rule, including a list of new ICD-9 diagnosis codes that take effect on Oct. 1. Note: The list doesn't include codes approved at the late-March meeting of the ICD-9 Coordination and Maintenance Committee.

Don't miss: If your radiologist performs brain MRIs due to altered mental status, you've probably been reporting 780.99 (Other general symptoms) to explain this procedure. Starting in October, you'll be able to use 780.97 (Altered mental status), and payers may cover the procedure more often.

Other new codes include:

• ICD-9 793.91 --Image test inconclusive due to excess body fat

• ICD-9 793.99 --Other nonspecific abnormal findings on radiological and other examinations of body structure. You'll find the full list at www.cms.hhs.gov/AcuteInpatientPPS/downloads/cms1488p.pdf. Head to page 840, Table 6A.
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