704.4x, 286.5x: Get Precise With Cyst, Hemorrhagic Disorder Coding

Besides, 999.4x alters 'shock' to 'reaction.'

If, at all, your lab bills transfusion medicine services or pathology exams meant for some particular cysts, or blood tests meant for hemorrhagic disorders, this article will help you get your 2012 ICD-9 coding in control.

The proposed codes took effect on Oct. 1, and establish the last full set of ICD-9 changes prior to the shift to ICD-10 diagnosis coding on Oct. 1, 2013.

Be Familiar with Cyst Differences

ICD-9 2012 presents a couple of novel codes meant for common hair-follicle cysts -- 704.41 (Pilar cyst) and 704.42 (Trichilemmal cyst). Pilar cysts are frequently mistaken with sebaceous cysts even though they have distinct characteristics.

Such as: Pilar cysts form by means of keratinizing epithelium related with a hair follicle. These cysts don't have a granular layer, which is distinctive of sebaceous cysts.

The ICD-9 update adds an "excludes" statement for novel codes 704.41 along with 704.42 under 706.2 (Sebaceous cyst).

Clarify Serum Reactions with New 999 Codes

If you particularly ever bill transfusion medicine codes (86850-86999), you can't afford to oversee ICD-9 revisions that will transform how you code serum reactions. The code update will nullify 999.4 (Anaphylactic shock due to serum) as well as 999.5 (Other serum reaction, not elsewhere classified) and substitute them with the following listed new codes:
999.41 --- i.e. Anaphylactic reaction because of administration of blood as well as blood products
999.42 -- i.e. vaccination
999.49 -- i.e. other serum
999.51 -- i.e. Other serum reaction because of administration of blood as well as blood products
999.52 -- i.e. vaccination
999.59 -- i.e. Other serum reaction

New ICD-9-CM codes 999.41 as well as 999.42 will help differentiate anaphylaxis because of transfusion or vaccination, such as; ICD-9 2012 offers similar differences in new codes 999.5x.

The novel codes will improve the accuracy of recording transfusion related adverse reactions and improve the ability to perform active surveillance of transfusion safety.

Shock too narrow: An anaphylactic reaction is a type of allergic hypersensitivity leading to symptoms for instance hives, wheezing, as well as perhaps a drop in blood pressure, which is anaphylactic shock. ICD-9 has used the term anaphylactic shock to involve all anaphylactic reactions in the past, which lead to some mix-up among clinicians. That's why ICD-9 2012 changes the terminology for 999.4x as well as other codes for instance 995.0 (Other anaphylactic reaction) from "anaphylactic shock" to the wider term, "anaphylactic reaction."

Labs will also have advantage from a novel "V" code that will assist your anaphylaxis coding with V13.81 (Personal history of anaphylaxis).

The above ICD-9 information is brought to you by SuperCoder.com. Click here to read the whole article and get more expert coding guidance: http://www.supercoder.com/articles/articles-alerts/pac/icd-9-2012-704.4x-286.5x-get-specific-with-cyst-hemorrhagic-disorder-coding-107697/

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