ICD 9: Updated CVA Diagnosis Guidelines

ICD 9: Updated CVA Diagnosis Guidelines

ICD 9: Updated CVA Diagnosis Guidelines

With the ICD 9 codes 2011 going into effect on October 1, 2010, as a neurology coder, you too can expect some changes likely to affect your practice. Here are some guidelines that will stand you in good stead:

Check your terminology

Patients and practitioners sometimes use the terms 'stroke' and 'CVA' interchangeably to refer to a cerebral infarction. The terms 'stroke', 'CVA and 'cerebral infarction NOS' each fall under diagnosis 434.91. The updated guidelines add, 'additional codes should be assigned for any neurological deficits with the acute CVA, irrespective of whether or not the neurologic defect resolves before discharge'.

Do not mix late effects with neurological deficits

Diagnoses under ICD-9's category 438 deal with late effects of cardiovascular disease. A late effect is the residual effect post the acute phase of an illness or injury has terminated. There is in fact, no time limit on when you can use a late effect code.

According to ICD 9 2010 guidelines, you needed to turn to 438.xx when indicating conditions in categories 430-437 as the cases of late effects. These late effects include neurological deficits that persist after the initial onset of conditions in categories 430-437, like speech and language deficits (438.1x), dysphagia (438.82), or vertigo (438.85).

With effect from October 1, 2010, guidelines specify to use codes in category 438 only for late effects of cerebrovascular disease, not for neurological deficits associated with an acute CVA.

Diagnosis signals disease

Guidelines under Section 1 C.18.d.3 differentiate status and history diagnosis codes. The guideline update clarifies what status codes represent. These codes indicate that a patient is a carrier of a disease, has the sequelae or residual of a past disease or condition, or has another factor influencing a person's health status.

A status code (such as V58.61, Long-term use of anticoagulants) informs healthcare providers and insurers of the patient's condition and might affect the course of treatment and its outcome. Using a personal history code (like V12.41, Personal history of benign neoplasm of the brain) explains a patient's medical condition that no longer exists and is not receiving any treatment. The code also indicates that the patient has the potential for recurrence, and therefore might need constant monitoring.

Since all ICD-9-CM 2011 books will not include the updated guidelines as the books went to printers before the updated guidelines became available, you'll stand in good stead to sign up for a medical coding guide like Supercoder!

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