It’s that time of year again. New, revised, and deleted ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS medical codes are set to take effect in just a few weeks on October 1. This article provides a sneak peek of what’s to come and how you can prepare your coding teams for the ICD-10 code updates. Focus your time and attention on ICD-10-CM/PCS code changes related to the following.
New Technology and Drugs
Given the rapid development of new technology and drugs, it’s not surprising that most of the 78 new ICD-10-PCS codes for 2024 (40 codes to be exact) represent new procedures, substances, and devices. If you’re reading an operative report and see a procedure, substance, or device you don’t recognize, there’s a good chance there’s probably a new X code (and new technology add-on payment) for it now. While you’re at it, be sure to check out and bookmark the 2024 ICD-10-PCS official coding guidelines.
Diagnostic Specificity
The ICD-10-CM update includes 395 new ICD-10-CM codes, many of which promote specificity. Check out these noteworthy new additions while simultaneously reviewing the 2024 ICD-10-CM official coding guidelines:
| A41.54 |
Sepsis due to Acinetobacter baumannii |
| E88.810 |
Metabolic syndrome |
| G20.A |
Parkinson's disease without dyskinesia |
| G20.B |
Parkinson's disease with dyskinesia |
| G43.E |
Chronic migraine with aura |
| I1A.0 |
Resistant hypertension |
| I20.81 |
Angina pectoris with coronary microvascular dysfunction |
| I20.89 |
Other forms of angina pectoris |
| I21.B |
Myocardial infarction with coronary microvascular dysfunction |
| I24.81 |
Acute coronary microvascular dysfunction |
| I24.89 |
Other forms of acute ischemic heart disease |
| J15.61 |
Pneumonia due to Acinetobacter baumannii |
| J15.69 |
Pneumonia due to other Gram-negative bacteria |
| M80.0B |
Age-related osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, pelvis |
| M80.8B |
Other osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, pelvis |
| R92.3 |
Mammographic density found on imaging of breast |
Diverse Child Custody Arrangements and Familial Conflict
Given the ongoing evolution of family systems and increased societal stressors; it’s not surprising to see these eight new ICD-10-CM codes:
| Z62.23 |
Child in custody of non-parental relative |
| Z62.24 |
Child in custody of non-relative guardian |
| Z62.823 |
Parent-step child conflict |
| Z62.83 |
Non-parental relative or guardian-child conflict |
| Z62.831 |
Non-parental relative-child conflict |
| Z62.832 |
Non-relative guardian-child conflict |
| Z62.833 |
Group home staff/child conflict |
| Z62.892 |
Runaway [from current living situation] |
Caregiver Noncompliance
Medical breakthroughs happen every day. However, none of these breakthroughs matter if patients and their caregivers can’t afford life-saving medications and procedures. That’s why it’s important to capture these two new codes related to caregiver noncompliance due to financial hardship:
| Z91A41 |
Caregiver’s other noncompliance with patient’s medication regimen due to financial hardship |
| Z91A51 |
Caregivers noncompliance with patient’s renal dialysis due to financial hardship |
Increased Payments to Hospitals for Treating Homeless Patients
This isn’t a coding change per say, but one notable difference for FY 2014 is a change in severity designation for these three ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes from non-CC to CC status as outlined on p. 297 of the FY 2024 IPPS final rule:
| Z59.00 |
Homelessness, unspecified |
| Z59.01 |
Sheltered homelessness |
| Z59.02 |
Unsheltered homelessness |
This change is important because it means CMS recognizes homelessness causes increased resource utilization in the acute inpatient hospital setting.
How to prepare for the FY 2024 ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS code changes:
The good news is hospitals have another month or so to prepare for these changes. Here are five ways to do that:
- Review all—and we mean all—the changes. Our article only provides a small snapshot of the new codes. There are plenty more as well as revisions and deletions to consider.
- Provide medical coder education. Many companies offer cost-effective webinars and online courses about the FY 2024 code changes. Your revenue cycle management partner may also be able to guide you. Find a reputable source and add the training to everyone’s schedules as soon as possible. Give coders time to ask questions and sort out any confusion.
- Loop clinical documentation improvement (CDI) specialists into the changes. The added specificity inherent in many of the new codes may require physician queries. CDI specialists can also help organizations capture codes for homelessness to promote revenue integrity.
- Talk to physicians about new technology. Not all new ICD-10-PCS codes may be relevant to your organization. Ask physicians to narrow down the list of new procedures, drugs, and services on which coders should focus.
- Prepare for audits. After go-live on October 1, revenue cycle management departments should plan to audit claims and identify any payment problems as quickly as possible.
Conclusion
Annual coding changes present healthcare organizations with plenty of opportunities to open the lines of communication between departments and work together to improve compliance and prevent aging accounts receivable. Take the time to review new, revised, and deleted ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes to promote data and revenue integrity.
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