Every year, October is a month when you come face to face with ICD-9 code changes. This year too you will witness lots of new changes. So if you are a cardiology coder here are some proposed 2011 ICD-9 code changes. This time round, you will need to learn ectasia, congenital malformation, and body mass index (BMI) codes.
The planned 2011 ICD-9 code changes add four codes specific to aortic ectasia, and this could well be one of the most important changes for cardiology coders.
Some new codes deal with congenital malformations of the heart and circulatory system. Code V13.65 will be very useful to cardiology coders. The ICD-9 proposal has expanded the body mass index (BMI) codes to show higher BMIs with five new codes.
With effect from October 1, you will have to stop using V85.4 and start using one of the four new V codes in its place.
BMI has become a key health tool and the four V codes will also provide more data. There are seven vital signs that count for the constitutional bullet in the E/M physical exam coding and there're those who are of the opinion that BMKI should be an eighth option. If that eight bullet gains traction and comes into play for cardiology coders, the new V codes could help you tremendously.
For more detailed information on 2011 ICD-9 code changes, and more on the new V codes, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a site will provide you with every bit of information pertaining to 2011 ICD-9 code changes so that the cardiology coder in you remains updated and does not miss out on the reimbursements.