2024 ICD-10-CM Code Guideline Resources December 7, 2023
The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes provide a standardized system for coding various medical conditions and treatments. As we approach 2024, significant updates and changes to the ICD-10 guidelines are on the horizon.
Medical billing companies, healthcare professionals, and coding experts need to understand these changes to ensure accuracy in documentation and billing. Precise coding ultimately impacts patient care and insurance claim payments.
Changes in the 2024 ICD-10-CM
The 2024 ICD-10 updates include 395 new billable codes, 25 deletions, and 13 revisions. All these changes are valid from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024. Some of the changes are as follows:
1. ICD-10-CM Codes For External Causes of Morbidity
A major update in the ICD-10-CM is the external causes of morbidity chapter, which has 123 new codes. The code W44 primarily focuses on foreign bodies entering through natural orifices with the following detailed indications:
| W44.A1XA | Button battery – entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter |
| W44.B3xA | Plastic toy and toy part – entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter |
| W44.C0XA | Glass unspecified – entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter |
| W44.F3xA | Food – entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter |
| W44.H0xA | Other sharp object unspecified – entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter |
| W44.H2XD | Knife, sword, or dagger – entering into or through a natural orifice, subsequent |
2. ICD-10-CM Codes For Insulin Resistance
Previously, clinicians used E88.81 – Metabolic Syndrome for insulin resistance. Now, you can use this set of more specific codes:
| E88.819 | Insulin resistance – unspecified |
| E88.818 | Other insulin resistance |
| E88.811 | Insulin resistance syndrome – Type A |
| E88.810 | Metabolic syndrome |
3. ICD-10-CM Codes For Short Bowel Syndrome
K90.82 is a new code for Short Bowel Syndrome in the 2024 ICD-10 codes. It is a non-billable/non-specific code, meaning you should not use it for reimbursement purposes, as more detailed codes are available under it.
| K90.821 | Short bowel syndrome – with colon in continuity |
| K90.822 | Short bowel syndrome – without colon in continuity |
| K90.829 | Short bowel syndrome – unspecified |
Within the diseases of the digestive system category, there are also new codes for identifying intestinal microbial overgrowth and its different variations. Apart from short bowel syndrome, this set includes codes to cover intestinal failure, retroperitoneal disorders, and acute appendicitis.
4. ICD-10-CM Codes For Supraventricular Tachycardia
The ICD-10 code I47, for supraventricular tachycardia, now requires a fifth digit to be more specific.
| I47.10 | Supraventricular tachycardia – unspecified |
| I47.11 | Inappropriate sinus tachycardia – so stated |
| I47.19 | Other supraventricular tachycardia |
5. ICD-10-CM Codes For Parkinson’s Disease
Twenty-four codes have been added to the chapter “Diseases of the Nervous System (G00-G99).” Part of the changes are for Parkinson’s disease, capturing if the patient experiences dyskinesia or motor fluctuations.
| G20.A1 | Parkinson’s disease – without dyskinesia – without mention of fluctuations |
| G20.A2 | Parkinson’s disease – without dyskinesia – with fluctuations |
| G20.B1 | Parkinson’s disease – with dyskinesia – without mention of fluctuations |
| G20.B2 | Parkinson’s disease – with dyskinesia – with fluctuations |
| G20.C | Parkinsonism – unspecified |
6. ICD-10-CM Codes For Osteoporosis
The chapter, “Diseases of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue(M00-M99)” now includes 42 new codes, which help enhance the specificity in coding for conditions like osteoporosis with pathological fractures. Some of the codes are given below:
| M80.0B | Age-related osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – pelvis |
| M80.0B1 | Age-related osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – right pelvis |
| M80.0B2 | Age-related osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – left pelvis |
| M80.0B9 | Age-related osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – unspecified pelvis |
| M80.8B | Other osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – pelvis |
| M80.8B1 | Other osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – right pelvis |
| M80.8B2 | Other osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – left pelvis |
| M80.8B9 | Other osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – unspecified pelvis |
If it’s necessary to code up to the 7th character, you can use one of the following characters:
- S = sequela
- A = initial encounter for fracture
- P = subsequent encounter for fracture with malunion
- K = subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion
- D = subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing
- G = subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing
Examples:
| M80.8B2P | Other osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – left pelvis – subsequent encounter for fracture with malunion |
| M80.0B2G | Age-related osteoporosis – with current pathological fracture – left pelvis – subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing |
7. ICD-10-CM Codes For Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact With Health Services
The 2024 set has new codes under category Z62 related to social determinants of health (SDoH) and their impact on children’s well-being. With this addition, it is easier to identify problems related to upbringing and caregiver situations.
| Z62.23 | A child in the custody of a non-parental relative |
| Z62.24 | A child in the custody of a 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 the current living environment |
Another update for social determinants of health is to add digits to codes for instances where caregivers do not comply with a treatment plan due to financial difficulties and other reasons.
| Z91.A41 | Caregiver’s other noncompliance – with patient’s medication regimen due to financial hardship |
| Z91.A48 | Caregiver’s other noncompliance – with patient’s medication regimen for other reason |
| Z91.A51 | Caregiver’s noncompliance – with patient’s renal dialysis due to financial hardship |
| Z91.A58 | Caregiver’s noncompliance – with patient’s renal dialysis for other reason |
| Z91.A91 | Caregiver’s noncompliance – with patient’s other medical treatment and regimen due to financial hardship |
| Z91.A98 | Caregiver’s noncompliance – with patient’s other medical treatment and regimen for other reason |
Under the chapter “Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99),” there will be more codes that encompass:
- Encounter codes for prophylactic measures
- Codes to indicate a family history of colon polyps
- Carrier of Acinetobacter Baumannii bacteria
- Observation of newborn for suspected condition ruled out
8. Other Notable Changes
Here are some more key changes in ICD-10 medical coding for 2024:
- There is an updated code for resistant hypertension (RH), defined as high blood pressure despite the concurrent use of at least three different antihypertensive drugs.
- There are new regulations under R92.3 for mammographic density found on breast imaging, aligning with the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System.
- There are 34 additional codes and one deletion under the chapter “Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa (H00-H59).” These codes enhance the specificity in coding for eye conditions like sickle-cell retinopathy, muscle entrapment, foreign body sensation, and laterality specification.
- The chapter “Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities(Q00-Q99)” gained six revisions and 22 new codes.
- There are two more codes for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Use J44.81 for bronchiolitis obliterans and bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and J44.89 for other specified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- There are new fifth-digit options for pneumonia. Use J15.61 for pneumonia due to Acinetobacter Baumannii and J15.69 for pneumonia due to other Gram-negative bacteria
| For the full guide, visit the: ✓ Comprehensive Listing of ICD-10-CM Files on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) website ✓ 2024 ICD-10-CM Files on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website |
The Impact of Accurate ICD-10-CM Coding
The benefits below underscore the importance of accurate ICD coding in the healthcare system:
- Enhanced Patient Care: Precise ICD coding is essential for maintaining comprehensive patient records, providing a clear and detailed account of a patient’s health history. This is crucial for healthcare providers to diagnose effectively, plan treatment, and ensure continuity of care across different healthcare services.
- Financial Sustainability: Accurate coding directly affects reimbursement rates, reduces claim denials, and optimizes revenue cycle management, ensuring the financial health of clinics.
- Regulatory Compliance: With the healthcare industry being heavily regulated, precise coding ensures compliance with regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and penalties. According to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA), about 3 percent of healthcare expenditures are lost to healthcare fraud. Others estimate it could be as high as 10%, amounting to more than $300 billion.
- Facilitated Communication: Standardized coding enhances communication between different departments and specialists within the healthcare system. It provides a universal language for describing diagnoses and treatments.
- Improved Health Data Analytics: Reliable coding contributes significantly to health data analytics, aiding in vital research and epidemiological studies. It also plays a crucial role in tracking disease patterns, public health policy development, and advancing medical knowledge. For instance, accurate coding of COVID-19 cases has been instrumental in understanding and responding to the pandemic. The collective data is helpful for ongoing and future research into the virus.
Best Practices for Navigating the 2024 ICD-10-CM Updates
Effectively manage the changes within the 2024 ICD-10 codes with a proactive and strategic approach. Some of the best practices that your clinic can implement are:
1. Adopt Changes Early
Familiarize yourself with the new changes as soon as they are released. Early adoption allows more time for training and adjustment, reducing the risk of errors when the changes officially take effect.
2. Conduct Training Programs
Invest in comprehensive training for your coding team. This training should cover the new codes, the revised guidelines, and their application in real-world scenarios. Consider role-specific training modules to address the unique challenges faced by your team.
3. Utilize Technology
Leverage advanced coding software and technology equipped with the latest codes and guidelines. Medical billing automation tools provide real-time assistance and validation, reducing the likelihood of errors. According to the American Health Information Management Association (AHMA), computer-assisted coding boosts productivity by 20%.
4. Do Regular Auditing and Quality Checks
Implement regular coding audits to guarantee compliance with the new standards. Audits help identify common errors or misunderstandings regarding the updated codes, providing opportunities for targeted retraining.
5. Facilitate a Collaborative Approach Between Coders and Clinicians
Foster a collaborative environment between coders and clinicians. This collaboration ensures that the clinical nuances are accurately captured in the coding process, leading to precise and comprehensive medical records. Apart from face-to-face verification, encourage the use of chat features within your EHR system for faster verification.
6. Consider Outsourcing
If your organization needs help keeping up with the extensive updates or if there is a shortage of trained coding staff, consider outsourcing. Tapping a medical billing and coding company ensures access to expertise in the latest 2024 ICD-10 codes. As a result, there will be less burden on in-house staff and a more efficient revenue cycle.
7. Keep Up-to-Date With Regulatory Bodies
Stay connected with updates from regulatory bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and CMS. Regularly checking their announcements, webinars, and guidance documents provide authoritative information and clarifications.
8. Develop Internal Resources
Create and maintain internal resources, such as cheat sheets or quick-reference guides. These resources serve as valuable tools for coders adapting to the new guidelines.
Tap Into Our Expertise
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- Advanced Software Solutions: Ensure accuracy and efficiency in your coding processes with our cutting-edge coding software. Simplify your task with automated ICD-10 code suggestions and real-time updates.
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