ICD-10 Coding Tips
This article offers guidelines on Coding COVID-19 suspected Infection & Symptoms. Symptoms of the Coronavirus, according to the CDC, include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and loss of taste and smell (2020). The reporting guidelines dictate: In patients with acute bronchitis that has been caused by COVID-19, use codes U07.1 and J20.8. For lower respiratory infection due to COVID-19, assign codes U07.1 and J22.
COVID-19, or “Coronavirus Disease 2019,” is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the newly discovered Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that ranges from mild to no symptoms, to severe symptoms and death.
The ICD-10-PCS Hot Topics Updated webinar reviews and clarifies some of the most challenging ICD-10-PCS procedure codes and ICD-10-PCS coding issues divided into 10-20-minute modules, including Aneurysms Background and Cerebral Aneurysms, Aortic Aneurysms, Control, Overview and Coding Applications for Vascular Access Devices, and Background and Coding Applications for Tunneled and Totally Implantable VADs. This learning path provides 2 CEU certificates after attaining a passing grade (2 AAPC CEUs and towards 2 AHIMA CEUs).
CMS clarified on April 10, 2020, that the submission of ICD-10-CM diagnoses codes for Risk Adjustment are permitted from coding telehealth services as long as it meets the set criteria (i.e. inpatient, outpatient, or professional service and from a face-to-face encounter) (CMS, 2020). CMS is stating that telehealth services can meet the face-to-face requirement “when the services are provided using an interactive audio and video telecommunications system that permits real-time interactive communication” (2020). From a medical coding and billing standpoint, the change in the telehealth services criteria for risk adjustment is causing updates to how these services are billed.
YES HIM Consulting provides most up-to-date content with a practical approach compliant with latest HIM & coding guidelines. The ICD-10-PCS Refresh With YES webinar series provides refresher courses for coders and auditors. These courses offer a practical review to complex ICD-10-PCS topics, provided by our nationally recognized educators and our YES HIM Executive team. The Refresh With YES: PCS Gastrointestinal Procedures webinar consists of 14-19-minute modules that examine Gastrointestinal procedures, such as Lysis of Adhesions, GI Anatomy and Guidelines, Bowel Procedures, and Gastric Procedures.
Previously the CDC/NCHS provided the ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guideline Supplement for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) coding, effective February 20, 2020. With the confirmation that the U07.1 code is implemented April 1, 2020, additions to the Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines were released to accompany the new code. These Guidelines appear in the Chapter 1 guidelines for Infectious Disease, and Chapter 15 for Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Puerperium, and are included in this article. The Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines are effective April 1, 2020, through September 30, 2020 (CDC/NCHS, 2020).
ICD-10-CM code U07.1 COVID-19 will be in effect as of April 1 in the US, which was pushed up from the normal effective date of October 1 for new codes. The reasoning for this unprecedented change is for the urgent need of immediate data collection. CMS has released a new update on 3/23/2020: “The ICD-10 MCE Version 37.1 R1 uses edits for the ICD-10 codes reported to validate correct coding on claims for discharges on or after April 1, 2020″ (2020). The ICD-10 MS-DRG Grouper software package to accommodate this new code, Version 37.1 R1, is effective for discharges on or after April 1, 2020.
Medical coding is the process of assigning numeric or alphanumeric codes to the diseases, injuries, treatments, and procedures that healthcare providers perform to record each encounter accurately and correctly bill the patient.
Preparations are underway for the incoming financial, organizational, and human burden that will be thrust upon hospitals and medical facilities across the nation due to the spread of the Novel Coronavirus and its corresponding disease (COVID-19).
The United States will begin using code U07.1 COVID-19 as of April 1 – rather than the usual effective date for new codes of October 1. This new code is being fast-tracked to allow for the urgent need of immediate data collection. Interim coding guidelines from the CDC are still to be used between now and the effective date (CDC, 2020). Review our previous article, “Coding for Coronavirus Outbreak: Interim Guidance from the CDC,” for additional information about code U07.1.