The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced updates for ICD-10-CM coding. Managing and keeping abreast of these codes are a complex undertaking, as there will be 72,184 codes in FY 2020. Healthcare organizations should strongly consider utilizing outside coding assistance to effectively understand the changes and benefits of the changes to ICD-10-CM.

These ICD-10-CM changes are scheduled for the upcoming fiscal year starting October 1, 2019 and ending September 30, 2020 and will affect any patient encounter occurring during the 2020 fiscal year.  Included in the updates are 273 additions, 21 deletions, and 30 revisions.

Notable ICD-10-CM code additions include:

• Adenosine deaminase deficiency, unspecified
• Severe combined immunodeficiency due to adenosine deaminase deficiency
• Adenosine deaminase 2 deficiency
• Other adenosine deaminase deficiency
• Pressure-induced deep tissue damage of left elbow
• Chronic embolism and thrombosis of right calf muscular vein

In addition, there are 21 deleted codes. Here are a few of the ICD-10-CM code deletions:

• Q796 Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Q871 Congenital malformation syndromes predominantly associated with short stature
• R828 Abnormal findings on cytological and histological examination of urine
• H8149 Vertigo of central origin, unspecified ear
• D813 Adenosine deaminase [ADA] deficiency
• Q660 Congenital talipes equinovar

Aviacode's coding management team is carefully reviewing all of the additions, deletions, and adjustments affecting ICD-10-CM for the coming fiscal year and working with our coders to understand these coding changes. Getting these codes right on day 1 (October 1) is vitally important as ICD-10 are the lifeblood of the entire healthcare system revenue cycle. It can mean the difference of using the right codes for optimal reimbursements and minimizing coding denials, or having unnecessary delays and missing out on potential revenues.

Our team of over 700 experienced and AHIMA or AAPC certified coders accurately code more than 10 million encounters per year, and are proficient in facility, professional fee, and risk adjustment (HCC) coding.