Urology coding: Few ICD-9 2011 changes for this specialty
The ICD-9 2011 codes have just gone into effect
. If you're concerned about how it's going to affect your urology coding, you will be glad to know that you will have minimal changes to learn. You can save yourself the hassle of scouring the full list by focusing on this rundown of the changes that may impact your urology practices.
ICD-9 2011codes add one new personal history code specific to genitourinary congenital corrections: V13. This code is among the most significant changes for urology coders as your urologist may need to indicate this history for some patients.
For instance: Your urologist treats chronic prostatitis in an adult patient who had a hypospadias penile repair during his childhood. Adding to your claim V13.62 as well as using 601.1 will add to the reporting accuracy of your overall clinical scenario.
Replace 787.6 with five just-in fecal-related diagnoses
You may once in a while use five new fecal impaction and incontinence codes in your urological practice. ICD-9 2011 deletes 787.6 and adds some new codes. Your urologist may use one of the above diagnoses for a complete ICD-9 clinical description in a patient with severe urinary incontinence as well as fecal impaction or fecal incontinence.
ICD 9 has expanded the BMI codes to demonstrate higher BMIs with five new codes.
The advantage: BMI has become an important health tool and those codes will also provide more data. There are seven key signs that count for the constitutional bullet in the E/M physical exam coding, and there are those who are of the opinion that BMI should be an eight option. If that eighth option gains traction and comes into play for medical coders, the just-in V codes could help considerably.
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Urology coding: Few ICD-9 2011 changes for this specialty