It’s not too early to prepare for diagnosis code changes

Changes are coming to the ICD-10-CM code set. Effective with services provided on or after Oct. 1, ICD-10 diagnosis codes will update to the 2017 version.

The update will affect some of the diagnosis codes used in family medicine. For instance, one of the most significant changes is the addition of a new code, R73.03, for “Prediabetes.” Another example is coding for “familial hypercholesterolemia.” If you had to code that today, you would use E78.0 (Pure hypercholesterolemia). The 2017 version of ICD-10 replaces E78.0 with two new options:

•    E78.00 (Pure hypercholesterolemia, unspecified)
•    E78.01 (Familial hypercholesterolemia)

Similarly, ICD-10 is adding three new codes to report joint pain in the hands:

•    M25.541 (Pain in joints of right hand)
•    M25.542 (Pain in joints of left hand)
•    M25.549 (Pain in joints of unspecified hand)

These are just some of the changes relevant to family medicine. Crosschecking the diagnosis codes you use most often (e.g., the ones listed on your superbill) against the 2017 ICD-10-CM code set would be a good place to start in preparing for the update.

You can access the new ICD-10 code set and other related resources through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ICD-10 web site. The American Academy of Family Physicians also has ICD-10 resources on its web site, including AAFP Coding Flashcards for 2017.

Diagnosis code changes are coming. Are you ready?

– Kent Moore, Senior Strategist for Physician Payment for the American Academy of Family Physicians