Physicians, medical groups and coding experts requested 25 diagnosis codes at the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting, March 6 and 7, along with 16 procedural codes.
Here are six key ICD-10-CM proposals to know.
1. Physicians proposed a unique set of diagnosis codes for each of the 13 types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes, which are connective tissue disorders that affect areas including the joints, bone and muscle.
2. The American Academy of Ophthalmology requested new codes for examinations in which patients fail vision screening, as well as additional codes for orbital roof and wall fractures. These requests had been presented at previous committee meetings and were modified based on feedback.
3. A group of physicians submitted changes to coding for intracranial hypotension. The proposed changes would differentiate between cranial and spinal cerebrospinal fluid leaks, which have differing causes, symptoms, complications, diagnostic testing and treatments.
4. A proposal requested creating a code to distinguish between patients that leave against medical advice after seeing a provider from those that leave before being seen by a provider.
5. The American Academy of Neurology proposed replacing the term "neuropacemaker" with the term "neurostimulator" to describe implanted devices used for treating multiple disorders, including chronic intractable pain, urinary and fecal incontinence, and gastroparesis. The organization also requested including terms that encompass the full range of neurostimulator sites.
6. ICD-10-CM currently doesn't contain a code recognizing rheumatoid arthritis patients in remission. The American College of Rheumatology recommended creating such a code, as patients in remission might not require the same treatment as patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.