ICD-10-PCS Codes Updates – FY2019
ICD-10-PCS Codes Updates – FY2019
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2019 ICD-10-PCS code updates for fiscal year (FY) 2019. All hospital inpatient coding professionals will implement the approved codes with discharges occurring on October 1, 2018.
Codes
According to the CMS FY 2019 Update Summary, there are 392 new codes, 8 revised codes and 216 deleted codes. FY 2019 has 78,881 ICD-10-PCS codes, compared to 78,705 codes in 2018.
Read below for a few of the code changes. In addition, our ICD-10-PCS Updates training covers the complete list and how these codes are used and applied in more detail.
- Additional approach value options in some tables
- Additional qualifiers for body parts in bypass procedures
- Qualifier for drug-coated balloon with Device value (D) for dilation procedures
- New table (093K) Control of nasal mucosa and soft tissue bleeding
- New table (0FD) for Extraction in the Hepatobiliary System and Pancreas
- Delete Device option No Device (Z) from joint fusion tables
- Changed qualifiers for C-Section
- Add Transplantation of uterus
- Added new qualifiers for ECMO
Guidelines
In summary, the 2019 ICD-10-PCS Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting had several guideline changes. A10 “And” guideline and B6.1a Device guideline had an addition. If a device remains after the removal and reinsertion (such as inadequate size), code both the insertion and removal.
Additionally, the updates added a new guideline, Transfer procedures using multiple tissue layers.
B3.17
The root operation Transfer contains qualifiers that specify when a transfer flap is composed of more than one tissue layer, such as a musculocutaneous flap. For procedures involving transfer of multiple tissue layers including skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia or muscle, the procedure is coded to the body part value that describes the deepest tissue layer in the flap, and the qualifier can be used to describe the other tissue layer(s) in the transfer flap.
Example: A musculocutaneous flap transfer codes to the appropriate body part value in the body system Muscles, and the qualifier describes the additional tissue layer(s) in the transfer flap.
Impact of FY 2019 ICD-10-PCS Code Updates
The additions of new approaches, sites and tables will provide advantages to all involved in the coding process. It is time-consuming and frustrating when trying to assign a code and there is no option, such as a missing table. Along with the advantages of new codes comes the challenges for all Healthcare entities. Therefore, all coding professionals must keep current on all these coding and guideline changes. When assigning ICD-10-PCS codes, it is important to understand not only the new code, but information on new procedures/techniques. As a result, YES HIM Consulting and associates consider this type of information is critical to the coding process for ICD-10-PCS. Ongoing education assists professionals in understanding the new procedure, and how and when to use it. But, also how to correctly apply the new guidelines and assign the new codes.
For the latest in medical coding education, check out our Education Services page and ever-evolving Education Catalog.
