Urology Coding Alert

Tip: Get your urologist documenting details about the complications now.

In the article "Get Specific With New ICD-9 Codes Cystostomy and Mesh Complication Codes in October" you learned that this year's ICD-9 update will offer you three new codes to more accurately describe complications associated with a cystostomy. When ICD-10 Codes rolls around on Oct. 1, 2013, you will have even more coding options.

ICD-10 difference: You'll find that ICD-10 will offer you cystostomy complication-related diagnosis codes within the T83 series (Complications of genitourinary prosthetic devices, implants and grafts). For example, you'll see the following codes:

• T83.030 (Leakage of cystostomy catheter) for cystostomy leakage
• T83.83 (Hemorrhage of genitourinary prosthetic devices, implants and grafts) for infection and inflammation of a prosthetic device, implant, or graft
• T83.89 (Other specified complication of genitourinary prosthetic devices, implants and grafts).

Physician documentation: Your urologist should already be documenting the type of complication the patient has, but ensure that is the case going forward. You'll also probably need to make room on your superbill for multiple new diagnostic codes.