RESOURCES
Migraines (ICD-9 346 Diagnosis) are another common
condition we treat. In the old system, there were variations in
the diagnostic codes for patients diagnosed with migraines,
but now it's even more complicated. Variables include: with
or without aura, chronic or acute, with or without cerebral
infarction, and so on. The new ICD-10 Diagnosis code is
G43, with the rest of the code based on the specifics.
SERIOUS SPECIFICITY
There are a lot of jokes going around poking fun at the specificity
of these new codes. To lighten this article up a bit, how about
the new ICD-10 code for being struck by a macaw? This next
one makes people laugh, too: "V97.33XD: Sucked into jet engine,
subsequent encounter." That means the patient got sucked into
a jet engine more than once! Or how about "W55.41XA: Bitten
by pig, initial encounter "? I know this makes sense to document
farm mishaps, but still … living in the big city of San Francisco,
it seems pretty unlikely to happen. And then we have "Y93.D1:
Accident while knitting or crocheting." So, while they're amusing,
it is important to know what the referring primary-care provider
is diagnosing, so you know what you'll be providing therapy for.
If you have trouble understanding all of this, you'll find
comfort in knowing you are not alone. Although health-care
providers and business consultants like myself have known for
years this change was coming, many people are still scrambling
to be compliant. Even adjustors and bill review companies have
to learn this new system. Be prepared for backlogs and payment
delays, misrepresented denials, and a host of other confusions as
we all work out the details and the dust begins to settle.
Resources
Medical Economics. "ICD-10 Documentation: The Key to Getting Paid." Accessed December 2015.
http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/managed-healthcare-executive/news/icd-10-
documentation-key-getting-paid.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "International Classification of Diseases, (ICD-10-CM/PCS)
Transition—Background." Accessed December 2015. www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm_pcs_background.htm.
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical
Modification (ICD-1-0CM)." Accessed December 2015. www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm#icd2014.
World Health Organization. "International Classification of Diseases." Accessed December 2015.
www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/.
MAJOR CODE CHANGES
Irene Diamond, RT, consults with many of
the most successful wellness providers, helping
them double their client base and generate
more repeat and referral business. Creator
of the rehabilitation technique Active Myofascial
Therapy—The Diamond Method and founder of
Dream Practice Mastery Academy, Diamond is a
2013 Massage Therapy Hall of Fame inductee. For
more information, visit www.irenediamond.com.
C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 79
