Family Practice Coding: Know The Icd-9 2011 Codes

By Author: Angela Martin
Total Articles: 206
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Soon the new ICD-9 2011 codes will go into effect. As such, you shouldn't let rumors of few ICD-9 changes in preparation for ICD-10 blindside you to top family practice coding changes. Without the latest on expansion to the 488, 748 and 787 categories, denials for invalid codes will derail your claims and in the process delaying your payments.


In ICD-9 2011, codes continue to be more and more specific necessitating a provider to document clearly to allow for selection of the most specific and accurate code.


Good tidings: Updating your ICD-9 coding by the October 1 deadline does not have to be a chore. Begin using your new choices in no time flat following these guidelines.


Look at manifestation while assigning ‘swine flu' Dx


Now, when a patient suffers from swine flu, you need to pay attention to two details.The medical record will have to identify the correct influenza and you'll have to capture the appropriate manifestation to choose the codes to the degree of specificity ...
... now called for.


With the change, category 488 would reflect the structure of category 487. The present 488.x sub-category did not provide the level of detail that category 487 does.


Train eyes on these fecal incontinence symptoms


When reporting fecal incontinence this fall, you will get to be a whole lot more specific. The single code 787.6 will give way to four new options that explain fecal incontinence problematic symptoms like fecal smearing, fecal urgency and incomplete defecation. From October 1, you will no longer be able to report 787.6.


Welcome more specific pain Dx


When the doctor diagnoses jaw pain after October 1, coders can choose 784.92 for the encounter.


For more family practice coding updates, sign up for an audio conferrence. When you sign up for one, you even stand to acquire CEUs to keep your certification current.