Addendum to ICD-10
It is imperative for practices to keep up to date with ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS changes and updates. Starting October 1, 2023, and going through September 30, 2024, there are many updates to discharge codes and additional diagnosis codes. While it may be warm weather now, practices need to be looking over the updates and getting ready to put them in place when the time comes.
Why Updating is Necessary
Keeping updated and aware of changes to the ICDs is crucial as it directly affects billing. This also affects all medical professionals, not just ones who work on Medicare and Medicaid claims. In addition to how it affects a practice financially, with advancements in the medical field, new strands are found and need to be addressed differently than their counterparts. The ICD also goes through changes every three years to allow for accuracy and efficiency.
ICD-10-CM
There have been revisions, additions, and removal of codes from the Tabular, Neoplasm, and drug lists as well as to the index. Changes being made to the ICD-10-CM include 395 additions, 12 revisions, and 25 deleted codes. Out of the new additions, “123 of them are external cause codes to capture accidents and injuries. CMS also proposes 36 new codes for osteoporosis with current pathological pelvic fracture.”
ICD-10-PCS
With changes to the ICD-10-CM came changes to the ICD-10 PCS. The 2024 total to the ICD-10-PCS has changed to an additional 73 new codes, for a total of 78,603 different codes. There is an addition of 78 new, 14 revised, and 5 deleted codes.
CMS
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has accepted new changes in place during January of 2024. With the addition of changes, it “embraces the shifting industry focus towards confronting underlying Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) and associated case costs to best address population health on a more holistic level.” This new model will be implemented within the next three years, allowing time to adjust for those medical professionals dealing with Medicare and Medicaid claims.
References:
“2024 ICD-10-CM.” CMS.Gov, www.cms.gov/medicare/icd-10/2024-icd-10-cm. Accessed 26 June 2023.
“2024 ICD-10-PCS.” CMS.Gov, www.cms.gov/medicare/icd-10/2024-icd-10-pcs. Accessed 26 June 2023.
Carrier, Susan. “A Win for Healthcare Nationwide: CMS Adopts 2024 Rule Changes.” Harmony Healthcare, 17 Apr. 2023, harmony.solutions/cms-adopts-2024-rule-changes/.
HealthLeaders. “CMS Releases Proposed ICD-10-CM Codes for 2024.” HealthLeaders Media, www.healthleadersmedia.com/revenue-cycle/cms-releases-proposed-icd-10-cm-codes-2024#:~:text=CMS%20recently%20released%20the%20fiscal,determinates%20of%20health%20(SDOH). Accessed 26 June 2023.
