New code for vaping-related illness may require a billing system update

A new diagnosis code for vaping-related illness takes effect next month, and family physicians may want to update their electronic health record (EHR) and billing systems.

A new chapter, Codes for Special Purposes (U00-U85), and new code U07.0 for vaping-related disorder will be implemented in ICD-10 starting April 1.

Code U07.0 is reported for E-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury, or EVALI. Additional codes should be reported for specific manifestations such as lipoid pneumonia, drug-induced interstitial lung disorder, or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Symptoms such as abdominal pain or diarrhea may also be reported with additional codes.

Because this code has been added outside the annual ICD-10 update that occurs each Oct. 1, EHR and billing systems may require interim updates to their ICD-10 code libraries to accommodate code selection and reporting. This should not be a problem for vendors, because this change could be incorporated along with any scheduled quarterly update of HCPCS codes that also take effect April 1.

— Cindy Hughes, CPC, CFPC