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Refresh With YES: CPT Spinal Fusion Procedures Spotlight | 1 CEU

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Refresh With YES: CPT Spinal Fusion Procedures Spotlight | 1 CEU

 

YES HIM Consulting partners with leading industry experts and nationwide-recognized educators to provide cutting-edge education to our coders, auditors, and clients. We provide most up-to-date content with a practical approach compliant with latest HIM & coding guidelines. Over 6000 HIM/Coding professionals have successfully completed our courses and programs, which include:

  • Online education
  • On-site workshops
  • Group mentoring sessions
  • One-on-One Coaching

The CPT Refresh With YES webinar series provides refresher courses for coders and auditors. These courses offer a practical review of complex CPT topics, provided by our nationally recognized educators and our YES HIM Executive team.

The Refresh With YES: CPT Spinal Fusion Procedures webinar consists of 12-18-minute modules that examine Spinal Fusion procedures and topics, such as Spinal Anatomy and Disease Process Review, Spinal Arthrodesis, and two Spinal Fusion Case Studies. YES Educators Ann Zeisset, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, and Teri Jorwic, MPH, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, lead this course.

This learning path provides one (1) CEU certificate after achieving a passing grade (towards AHIMA and AAPC). Refresh With YES: Spinal Fusion Procedures is available on the YES Education website through the following drop-down menus: Medical Coding > CPT > CPT Refresh With YES or Education Categories > Refresh With YES Webinars > CPT Refresh With YES.

Find this course and more on our YES Education Site.

Corporate pricing for courses and academies are available upon request. Contact YES HIM Consulting for pricing.

Spinal Fusion Procedures

LHIMA Recap: OP/ProFee Director Impresses with Presentation

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LHIMA Recap: OP/ProFee Director Impresses with Presentation

 

Forging a bright future for YES, Executives Vanessa Youmans, Director, OP/ProFee Coding & Auditing, and Mari Cely, Director, Business Strategy & Marketing, represented YES at the annual LHIMA Convention, March 2-4, in New Orleans, LA. While attending the HIM convention, whose tagline reads, “Honoring the Past, Treasuring the Present, and Shaping the Future,” Vanessa and Mari focused on “shaping the future” of YES by meeting with members of the LHIMA chapter and connecting with potential clients.

LHIMALHIMA also presented the opportunity for Vanessa to present her team’s latest case study on coding quality improvement plans and standardization that aims to elevate coding accuracy to 99%. This presentation provided recent hospital acquisition trends and practical tactics for a coding team to reach optimal coding accuracy. You can find a summary of this case study published on our website here.

Both Executives noted the valuable connections and case study presentation as two of the biggest highlights of the trip – in addition to taking in the history, ambiance, and sights of “The Big Easy.”

 

Refresh With YES: ICD-10-CM Respiratory Diagnoses Spotlight | 1 CEU

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Refresh With YES: ICD-10-CM Respiratory Diagnoses Spotlight | 1 CEU

 

YES HIM Consulting partners with leading industry experts and nationwide-recognized educators to provide cutting-edge education to our coders, auditors, and clients. We provide the most up-to-date content with a practical approach compliant with latest HIM & coding guidelines. Over 6000 HIM/Coding professionals have successfully completed our courses and programs, which include:

  • Online education
  • On-site workshops
  • Group mentoring sessions
  • One-on-One Coaching

The ICD-10-CM Refresh With YES webinar series provides refresher courses for coders and auditors. These courses offer a practical review to complex ICD-10-CM topics, provided by our nationally recognized educators and our YES HIM Executive team.

The Refresh With YES: ICD-10-CM Respiratory Diagnoses webinar consists of 15-21-minute modules that examine Respiratory diagnoses, such as COPD, Respiratory Failure, Pneumonia, and Asthma. YES Educators Ann Zeisset, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, and Teri Jorwic, MPH, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, FAHIMA, lead this course.

This learning path provides one (1) CEU certificate after achieving a passing grade (towards AHIMA and AAPC). Refresh With YES: Respiratory Diagnoses is available on the YES Education website through the following drop-down menus: Medical Coding > ICD-10-CM > ICD-10-CM Refresh With YES or Education Categories > Refresh With YES Webinars > ICD-10-CM Refresh With YES.

Find this course and more on our YES Education Site.

Corporate pricing for courses and academies are available upon request. Contact YES HIM Consulting for pricing.

Respiratory Diagnoses

 

New COVID-19 MS-DRG Assignment, Effective April 1

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New COVID-19 MS-DRG Assignment, Effective April 1

 

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 for 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.

COVID-19 Code Assignments

The ICD-10 MS-DRG V37.1 R1 Grouper Software, Definitions Manual Table of Contents, and the Definitions of Medicare Code Edits V37.1 R1 manual will be available here.

The Index and Tabular Addenda for new diagnosis code U07.1, COVID-19, will be made available via the CDC website.

More information on the CDC Update (3/18/2020) can be found in our previous article, “Update: New ICD-10 Code For COVID-19 Effective April 1.”

Find the full update released by CMS here: https://edit.cms.gov/files/document/icd-10-ms-drgs-version-371-r1-effective-april-1-2020-updated-march-23-2020.pdf.

An Introduction To Medical Coding & Basic Terminology

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An Introduction To Medical Coding & Basic Terminology

 

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 (Healthcare Business & Technology, 2019).

Medical coding directly ties into medical billing, which includes “preparing billing claims and submitting them to insurance providers,” as noted in our previous article, “What Is Medical Coding and Billing? How Does It Streamline a Hospital’s Financial Performance?” Ensuring the encounter was coded correctly is essential for correct payment and an accurate patient medical history. In addition, “medical codes also serve the purpose of comparing projects and planning for under-served healthcare area, aiding in administrative functions, as well as identifying symptoms that must be addressed and referenced by other physicians” (Healthcare Business & Technology, 2019).

Here are the different categories of medical codes that coders use:

Medical CodingCurrent Procedural Terminology (CPT): CPT codes encompass the wide range of services performed by physicians, such as surgeries, tests, and evaluations. The American Medical Association (AMA) maintains the CPT code set, and constantly updates it to reflect the changes in the medical and healthcare field (AMA, 2020). There are three categories of CPT codes, plus the Proprietary Laboratory Analyses (PLA) set.

International Classification of Diseases (ICD): ICD is the “international standard for defining and reporting diseases and health conditions,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which uses the code set to identify health trends and statistics worldwide (2020). Updated frequently with input from payers and physicians, ICD is on its 10th edition, with an 11th version being queued up for implementation around January 2022. Review our previous article, “Understanding ICD-10 Codes and Why They’re Important,” for a more in-depth explanation of ICD codes.

Healthcare Common Procedure Coding (HCPC): HCPC consists of two code set levels that cover “ambulance services, durable medical equipment, prosthetics, supplies, outpatient hospital care, chemotherapy drugs, and more” (Healthcare Business & Technology, 2019). The set undergoes quarterly changes that take into account public feedback on the codes.

International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF): ICF focuses on body functions and structure, disabilities, the effects on a patient’s activities and participation, and information on the severity and environmental factors (CDC, 2015).

Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG): DRG codes pertain to Medicare patients, whose information and ailments are segmented into categories. Based on the previously established classifications on these categories, Medicare assumes the same care is needed and issues a reimbursement based on that level of care.

Medical CodingMedical coding is an important necessity in every healthcare setting, but the type of practice can help determine the code set that will be more frequently used, as well as a coder who specializes in that code set. Smaller clinics have multiple options for their coding and billing responsibilities. In essence, they may use a health information management software for data entry, or go through a consultant, such as YES HIM Consulting, to outsource their coding needs. Larger hospital systems may have a dedicated coding department, or they may outsource this process due to the large volume of patient bills. But don’t let the outsourcing myths fool you into thinking that outside coders won’t be qualified – we debunk them here.

When outsourcing coding and billing to a consultant, it is imperative to review the consultant’s level of experience, communication, and performance to ensure they will be the right match for your organization. Read our previous article, “Selecting the Right Coding Auditing Company for Your Organization,” for more information.

Medical Coding & Billing Tips for COVID-19

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Medical Coding & Billing Tips for COVID-19

 

With the number of COVID-19 (2019-Novel Coronavirus) cases expected to rise in North America, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided information on how to medically code and bill all encounters related to COVID-19 for Medicare beneficiaries (CMS, 2020).

Here are the latest coding and billing updates:

  • The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) code U0001 will cover the tests and track emerging cases (CMS, 2020). Providers can start using this code on April 1 for services dated February 4 and later.COVID19
  • The second HCPCS code U0002 includes non-CDC lab tests for SARS-CoV-2/2019-nCoV (COVID-19) (CMS, 2020). Providers can start using this code on April 1 for services dated February 4 and later.
  • The payment amount for U0001 and U0002 claims will be determined by Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) for their local jurisdictions until a national rate is established by Medicare (CMS, 2020). Providers can consult their local MAC for payment estimates before submitting a billing claim.
  • If a Medicare beneficiary is placed in quarantine as a medical necessity – but does not require acute inpatient care – Medicare will cover any cost outliers and the provider’s diagnosis-related group rate while the patient remains in the quarantine (The National Law Review, 2020).
  • Providers with private and semiprivate rooms are not permitted to charge a differential for a private room that is deemed a medical necessity (CMS, 2020).
  • There will be no additional deductible if a patient elects to remain in the hospital under quarantine, even if he or she would have otherwise been discharged (CMS, 2020).
  • The American Medical Association (AMA) has released a new CPT code to streamline COVID-19 tests from providers (AMA, 2020). CPT code 87635 has short, medium, and long descriptors that can be found on the AMA website. COVID-19
  • Additional coding guidelines for COVID-19 have been established by the CDC (2020). The effective date of ICD-10-CM code U07.1 for COVID-19-related diagnoses is being fast-tracked to April 1. CDC UPDATE 3/18/2020: “New ICD-10-CM code for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), April 1, 2020.” For a more in-depth review of the new ICD-10 code for COVID-19, as well as historical background on the virus, read our latest article, “Coding for Coronavirus Outbreak: Interim Guidance from the CDC.”

Coding for Coronavirus Outbreak: Interim Guidance from the CDC

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Coding for Coronavirus Outbreak: Interim Guidance from the CDC

 

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (CDC, 2020). This outbreak of the respiratory disease caused by the novel (new) coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. It has rapidly spread, and, according to the CDC, has been detected in 37 locations internationally, including cases in the United States. “The virus has been named ‘SARS-CoV-2,’ and the disease it causes has been named ‘coronavirus disease 2019’ (abbreviated ‘COVID-19’),” reports the CDC (2020).

The term “Coronaviruses” refers to a large group of viruses that are commonly seen in “many different species of animals, such as camels, cattle, cats, and bats” (The Bottom Line, 2020). It is rare that these animal coronaviruses infect people and then spread between people, but it does happen as with MERS, SARS, and now with COVID-19 (CDC, 2020).

Coronavirus is Not New

CoronavirusAccording to the World Health Organization, “Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans” (WHO, 2020).

These Coronaviruses were originally transmitted between animals and people and are termed “zoonotic.” It is important to understand that there is a difference between previous strains of Coronavirus and the new COVID-19.

Click here for a PDF file on various types of Coronavirus.

Coding for COVID-19

As a result of the public health emergency, the document, “Announcement New ICD-10-CM Code 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19),” was released to provide guidance on coding this virus. A new International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) emergency code (U07.1), has been established by WHO. The ICD-11 code would be RA01.0. The title of U07 will be changed back to “codes for emergency use” (WHO, 2019).

For consistency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (CDC/NCHS) will also include a new diagnosis code into the ICD-10-CM effective with the next update, October 1, 2020. The complete addenda change, and new code and final title will be presented at the March 2020 ICD10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting (CDC/NCHS, 2020).

Review this document here.

ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines – Supplement

Further, in the interim, the ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guideline – Supplement for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) was also posted here. This Official Coding Guideline Supplement is effective February 20, 2020.

Note: Remember that this novel virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2, the disease it causes is named “coronavirus disease 2019” and abbreviated “COVID-19.” There is also documentation of 2019-nCoV in literature. This is important because it is likely that you will see this documented a number of ways. Going forward, it appears that the correct method is COVID-19.

As with other Supplements, the new guidance is to be used in conjunction with the current ICD-10-CM classification and the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting (effective October 1, 2019). Updates will be added when available. The full Supplement is available here. The key Coding Guidance is provided in this article below.

General Guidance

Pneumonia

Confirmed pneumonia as COVID-19: J12.89, Other viral pneumonia, and B97.29, Other Coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere.

Bronchitis

Confirmed acute bronchitis as COVID-19: J20.8, Acute bronchitis due to other specified organisms, and B97.29, Other Coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere. Bronchitis NOS due to COVID-19: J40, Bronchitis, not specified as acute or chronic, and B97.29, Other Coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere.

Respiratory Infection

COVID-19 associated with a lower respiratory infection, NOS, or an acute respiratory infection, NOS: J22, Unspecified acute lower respiratory infection, and B97.29, Other Coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere.

If the COVID-19 is documented as being associated with a respiratory infection, NOS: J98.8, Other specified respiratory disorders, and B97.29, Other Coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

ARDS due to COVID-19: J80, Acute respiratory distress syndrome, and B97.29, Other Coronavirus as the cause of diseases classified elsewhere.

CoronavirusExposure to COVID-19

Concern about possible exposure to COVID-19, ruled out: Z03.818, Encounter for observation for suspected exposure to other biological agents ruled out.

Actual exposure to someone confirmed to have COVID-19: Z20.828, Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases.

Signs and Symptoms

Definitive diagnosis not established, patient presenting with signs/symptoms: Assign appropriate code(s) for each of the presenting signs and symptoms such as:
• R05 Cough • R06.02 Shortness of breath • R50.9 Fever, unspecified

Coronavirus

Note: Diagnosis code B34.2, Coronavirus infection, unspecified, would generally not be appropriate for the COVID-19, because the cases have universally been respiratory in nature, so the site would not be “unspecified” (CDC/NCHS, 2020).

If the provider documents “suspected,” “possible,” or “probable” COVID-19, do not assign code B97.29. Assign a code(s) explaining the reason for encounter, such as fever, or Z20.828 (CDC/NCHS, 2020).

This coding guidance has been developed by CDC and approved by the four organizations that make up the Cooperating Parties: the National Center for Health Statistics, the American Health Information Management Association, the American Hospital Association, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CDC/NCHS, 2020).

To read about the other latest ICD-10-CM code, U07.0 – Vaping-related disorder, review our previous article.

Increase Revenue & Lower Compliance Risk With These 6 E/M Tips

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Increase Revenue & Lower Compliance Risk With These 6 E/M Tips

 

Selecting the right E/M code can be tricky – and sometimes, costly – business. On the one hand, the coder does not want to choose a diagnosis that’s too high, which could potentially incur audits or claims denials. But, if the coder selects a code that’s too low, there’s a chance of losing revenue for his or her organization.

According to Medical Economics, “payers and auditors use a quantitative scoring process that requires specific elements (i.e., history, exam, and medical decision-making [MDM] – or time spent counseling and coordinating care) for each E/M level” (2020). If each element of the clinician visit is not correctly documented, there is a risk that the coder may down-code the encounter.

Here are some tips, generated from Medical Economics, to help coders and auditors efficiently code E/M visits that will increase revenue and decrease compliance risks (2020):

E/M

  1. Develop a process to ensure quality E/M documentation. Make sure the coder is aware of what documentation is needed for each E/M level. A comprehensive scoring guide will help coders determine if those requirements are met, narrowing down the correct code level. For reference, review the guide to E/M codes from Family Practice Management (FPM) journal (2011), and refer to the coding reference cards gathered by the American Academy of Family Physicians (2019). The American Medical Association (AMA) offers additional E/M coding tips, as well as procedures for incorporating guideline changes into a practice or clinic.
  2. Document past medical history. For Level 4 or 5 new patient E/M code, several items need to be documented, including “one specific item from the past medical history (i.e., illness, operations, injuries, treatments, medications, or allergies), one specific item from the family history (i.e., medical events or hereditary diseases that place the patient at risk), and one item from the social history (e.g., use of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol)” (Medical Economics, 2020). In the history of present illness (HPI) section, an analysis of the body systems that relate to the problem needs to be documented.
  3. Exams should only review the necessary bodily systems and areas that directly influence the medical decision-making for the current encounter. E/M levels could be wrongfully inflated if a multi-system exam is conducted. Negative findings should reflect what the physician specifically asked the patient, how they responded, and how this contributed to the evaluation. It is imperative to distinguish which E/M guideline – 1995 or 1997 – the organization’s Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) uses, as the latter provides different options for single system exams.
  4. Be knowledgeable about how MDM is calculated. The MDM includes “the number of diagnoses and management options considered, the amount and/or complexity of data reviewed (e.g., urinalysis, EKG, lab results, or additional workup planned), and the risk of complications, morbidity, or mortality” (Medical Economics, 2020).
  5. Record the amount of time spent during the visit. Report the total amount of time the physician spent with the patient and his/her family, how much time was used to counsel on care, and the summarized details of the conversation.
  6. Be vigilant for underpayments. Small errors in documentation or E/M calculations can lead to under-coding, which ultimately causes loss of revenue. Luckily, a coding and auditing firm, such as YES HIM Consulting, is well-equipped to identify underpayment situations in time for the organization to resubmit the corrected claims and recoup some lost revenue. In a previous article, YES discusses how to select the right coding audit company for your organization.

Top 8 Changes Medicare Payment Systems Will See In 2020

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Top 8 Changes Medicare Payment Systems Will See In 2020

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is implementing 8 major changes this year to the Medicare payment systems, according to Becker’s ASC Review (2019). A majority of these changes come from the organization’s 2020 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and ASC Payment System Final Rule (CMS, 2019). Other changes were due to the finalization of the CY 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (CMS, 2019).

Here’s a brief description of the changes (follow the links for in-depth information):

  1. CMS UpdatesA site-neutral payment policy, as well as a total knee arthroplasty, was added for Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASC) (Becker’s ASC Review, 2019). The knee replacement procedure is now applicable for Medicare payment.
  2. A total of 6 spinal operations were taken off the inpatient-only list (Becker’s ASC Review, 2019) and are now eligible for Medicare payment in both the hospital outpatient and inpatient settings.
  3. Several angioplasty and stenting procedures will be paid for in the ASC setting since the beginning of 2020 (Becker’s ASC Review, 2019).
  4. The reporting requirements of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) underwent changes to simplify the rules for providers (Becker’s ASC Review, 2019).
  5. Starting in January 2021, all U.S. hospitals are required to publicly report the standard prices and information, according to the finalized price transparency policy (Becker’s ASC Review, 2019) for Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS).
  6. Due to fee schedule updates, the privileges of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) in ASCs have been expanded to allow them to “perform the anesthetic risk and evaluation on the patient they are anesthetizing,” according to Becker’s ASC Review (2019). Payments will also be extended to CRNAs.
  7. The E/M coding requirements were modified to match those enforced by the American Medical Association CPT Editorial Panel for Office and Outpatient E/M visits (Becker’s ASC Review, 2019).
  8. Treatments and programs for opioid-use disorder will be covered under the CMS 2020 physician fee schedule (Becker’s ASC Review, 2019).

Visit www.cms.gov for complete details about each change. For more information about the Medicare Advantage program, view our previous articles “HCC Medicare Advantage Background and Overview” and “HCC Chronic Conditions and M.E.A.T. Criteria.”

New ICD-10-CM Code For Vaping-Related Disorders – Effective April 1

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New ICD-10-CM Code For Vaping-Related Disorders – Effective April 1

 

The WHO Family of International Classifications (WHOFIC) Network Classification and Statistics Advisory Committee (CSAC) convened to establish a new emergency code to be used by WHO. This new emergency code, U07.0 – Vaping-related disorder, was implemented and valid for immediate use as of September 24, 2019, for ICD-10.

In the United States, a Supplement to the ICD-10-CM Guidelines, entitled “Coding Encounters Related to E-cigarette, or Vaping, Product Use,” was posted on October 17, 2019. The guideline update provided valuable information on the proper assigning of codes, but did not provide a unique code for vaping in ICD-10-CM.

VapingIt has now been announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (CDC/NCHS) is also implementing this new diagnosis code to be consistent with the WHO update. The code, U07.0 – Vaping-related disorder, will be effective in the U.S. on April 1, 2020. In addition, “proposals for new codes that are intended to address additional detail regarding use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products will be presented at the March 2020 ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee Meeting” (CDC, 2019).

Full addenda information for the new code was posted in December 2019 on the CDC website. As part of their outreach and education efforts, the CDC/CNHS provided more information on the implementation of this new ICD-10-CM diagnosis code.

According to the CDC, “electronic cigarettes – or e-cigarettes – are also called vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens, tank systems, mods, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)” (CDC, 2020). Using an e-cigarette product is commonly referred to as “vaping.”

The CDC explains that e-cigarettes work by heating a liquid to produce an aerosol that users inhale into their lungs (CDC, 2020). This liquid can contain: nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinoid (CBD) oils, and other substances and additives. THC is the psychoactive, mind-altering compound of marijuana that produces the “high” (CDC, 2020). A dab vape pen is used to vaporize a liquid form of cannabis, also known as concentrates.

VapingThe CDC is investigating this outbreak of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). All EVALI patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette, or vaping, products (CDC, 2020). According to the CDC, “as of January 14, 2020, a total of 2,668 hospitalized EVALI cases or deaths have been reported to CDC from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands)” (CDC, 2020).

Recently a breakthrough occurred that showed that Vitamin E acetate has been identified as a chemical of concern among people with e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI).

THC is present in most of the samples tested by FDA to date, reveals the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (2019), and most patients report a history of using THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products. The site is frequently updated with information for the public.

Why The U-Code?

The ICD-10 classification has previously used U codes assigned to Chapter XXII, Codes for Special Purposes, (U00-U85). Some examples of categories for U codes used in ICD-10 include: U82-U85 – Resistance to antimicrobial and antineoplastic drugs, U04 – Severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS], and U06 – Zika virus disease. U06-U07 are “active” codes, even though the titles are “Emergency use.” The vaping directive to use U07.0 internationally to represent vaping illustrates the emergency use.

Previously, ICD-10-CM has not used Chapter 22, but it is being added so the code set is consistent with that of WHO. The new block of codes (U00-U85) are for special purposes, identified as “Provisional assignment of new diseases of uncertain etiology or emergency use” (U00-U49). There is also a note at the chapter level that Codes U00-U49 are to be used by WHO for the provisional assignment of new diseases of uncertain etiology.

VapingFor more information regarding the new ICD-10-CM code, U07.0 – Vaping-related disorder, review our Hot Topics course on vaping for 1 free CEU. Read up on the impending ICD-11 code set, which is set to go into effect in 2022.

YES HIM Consulting, Inc. Largo, Fl.
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