Radiology Coding Alert

See if you avoided the acute vs. chronic pitfalls. Have you mastered ICD-9 2010 embolism coding? Check your progress by reviewing the answers to the quiz on page 3. Scenario 1: Catch 1 Key Term for 453.xx Success Answer: C. 453.51 (Chronic venous embolism and thrombosis of deep vessels of proximal lower extremity) Why: Distinction based on a problem’s acute or chronic nature is a major change from 2009 to 2010 for the embolism and thrombosis codes. In Scenario 1, the documentation states “chronic” thrombosis, so new code 453.51 is most appropriate for this case. For services before Oct. 1, 2009, you would have reported 453.41 (Venous embolism and thrombosis of deep vessels of proximal lower extremity) for Scenario 1. But ICD-9 2010 revises 453.41 so it applies only to “acute” cases. The new descriptor reads: “Acute venous embolism and thrombosis of deep vessels of proximal lower extremity.” The acute [...]