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A Quarterly Publication of The Central Office On ICD-10-CM/PCS
A Quarterly Publication of The Central Office On ICD-10-CM/PCS
A Quarterly Publication of The Central Office On ICD-10-CM/PCS
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd/Announcement-New-ICD-code-for-
coronavirus-19-508.pdf
Anaplasmosis
Question:
A 63-year-old patient presented to the hospital
with abrupt onset of fevers, chills, and muscle
weakness. Diagnostic blood work came back
positive for Lyme disease co-infected with
Ehrlichia, and Anaplasmosis. The patient
reported a tick bite while hiking through the
woods about one week ago. The provider
diagnosed Ehrlichia, Lyme disease and
Anaplasmosis; treated the patient with an
antibiotic; and discharged the patient home.
What are the appropriate ICD-10-CM code
assignments for this admission?
Answer:
Assign code A69.20, Lyme disease,
unspecified, and code A79.82, Anaplasmosis
[A. phagocytophilum]. The Excludes1 note
at subcategory A77.4, Ehrlichiosis, prohibits
assigning code A79.82 and code A77.40,
Ehrlichiosis, unspecified, together.
A new code has been created for anaplastic large cell lymphoma,
ALK-negative, of the breast (C84.7A), and there is an inclusion term
for breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-
ALCL).
Question:
A 25-year-old male patient was seen in his
physician’s office for a follow up visit. He
continues to express feelings of loneliness,
sadness, and loss of interest in hobbies that
he once enjoyed. The provider diagnosed
depression. What is the correct code
assignment for depression?
Answer:
Assign code F32.A, Depression, unspecified,
for depression not further specified.
The creation of these two new codes will aid in disease prevalence
monitoring, comparison of best practices and treatment costs, as well
as recruitment of subjects for clinical trials and patient registries.
Cervicogenic Headache
Pain caused by a CGH typically begins in the neck and the back of
the head and radiates towards the front of the head. People with
There are many conditions that can cause CGH. They may occur due
to degenerative conditions, like osteoarthritis, or traumatic conditions,
such as fracture, dislocation or whiplash injury. Underlying medical
conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or infection may also
cause these headaches. Sequencing of CGH and the associated
conditions depends on the circumstances of the encounter.
Question:
A patient with cervical disc displacement of C2-
C3 presented to their provider’s office due to
frequent headaches and neck pain. The patient
was diagnosed with cervicogenic headaches
(CGH) associated with disc displacement
and was prescribed medication for pain
management. What is the appropriate code
assignment for CGH associated with C2-C3
disc displacement?
Answer:
Assign code G44.86, Cervicogenic headache,
for CGH. Code M50.21, Other cervical disc
displacement, high cervical region, should
also be assigned to capture the associated
condition.
Question:
A patient presents to the Emergency
Department after becoming progressively
somnolent. Diagnostic workup revealed
elevated troponin level and intermittent atrial
fibrillation and the patient was admitted
for further cardiology management. The
patient never reported any chest pain; did
not demonstrate electrocardiogram (ECG)
changes; troponin levels stabilized; and
at discharge, the provider diagnosed non-
Answer:
Assign code I5A, Non-ischemic myocardial
injury (non-ischemic), for non-ischemic
myocardial injury.
Question:
A patient, who is status post colectomy
secondary to ulcerative colitis, presents
with complaints of skin irritation around his
ileostomy. The provider diagnosed irritant
contact dermatitis caused by leakage of stool
related to the retraction of the ileostomy.
What are the appropriate diagnosis code
assignments for the encounter?
Answer:
Assign code L24.B3, Irritant contact dermatitis
related to fecal or urinary stoma or fistula, for
Question:
An adult patient with stress urinary incontinence
is diagnosed with urine-induced vulvar contact
dermatitis. What are the diagnosis code
assignments for the encounter?
Answer:
Assign code L24.A2, Irritant contact dermatitis
due to fecal, urinary or dual incontinence.
Contact dermatitis that is associated with
prolonged exposure to urine is a form of irritant
contact dermatitis. Assign code N39.3, Stress
incontinence (female) (male), for the stress
urinary incontinence.
Question:
An 80-year-old patient, who wears adult diapers
because of urinary and fecal incontinence,
presents to the Emergency Department due
to painful, irritated and excoriated skin of the
vulva and buttocks. The provider’s diagnostic
statement lists, “Contact dermatitis due to fecal
and urinary incontinence.” What is the ICD-10-
CM code assignment for contact dermatitis in
an incontinent patient who wears adult diapers?
Answer:
Assign code L22, Diaper dermatitis, for contact
dermatitis due to irritation from urine and feces
and diaper wear. Also, assign codes R15.9, Full
incontinence of feces, and R32, Unspecified
urinary incontinence, as secondary diagnoses.
Question:
What codes are assigned for leakage of a
cystostomy catheter causing irritant contact
dermatitis due to urine?
Thrombotic Microangiopathy
Code M31.1, Thrombotic microangiopathy, was expanded to identify
hematopoietic stem cell transplantation associated microangiopathy
(HSCT-TMA), along with unspecified and other specified types of
thrombotic microangiopathies as follows:
These new codes will allow for better identification and tracking of this
distinct set of patients.
Vertebrogenic Pain
Code M54.5, Low back pain, was expanded to allow the specific
classification of vertebrogenic low back pain. The new codes identify
low back pain, unspecified (M54.50), vertebrogenic low back pain
(M54.51), and other low back pain (M54.59).
Question:
A patient previously underwent a magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine for low
back pain, and the provider’s final interpretation
was Modic type endplate changes. He now
presents for a follow-up visit for the low back
pain, and the provider diagnosed vertebrogenic
low back pain. What is the correct code
assignment for vertebrogenic low back pain?
Answer:
Assign code M54.51, Vertebrogenic low back
pain.
Providers routinely test the newborn for GBS as part of the infant’s
prenatal care. However, not every infant who is born to a mother who
tests positive for GBS will become ill. Newborns are at increased
risk for GBS infection if their mother tests positive for the bacteria
during pregnancy. GBS infection is a leading cause of meningitis
and bloodstream infections in a newborn’s first three months of life.
Because of the high risk of morbidity and mortality for infants who are
born to GBS positive mothers, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) requested the creation of this code to capture important clinical
information and to allow for adequate tracking and monitoring.
Question:
A newborn, who had a normal vaginal delivery,
is diagnosed with group B streptococcus
colonization and is administered antibiotics
prophylactically. What code should be assigned
for this condition?
Answer:
Assign code Z38.00, Single liveborn infant,
delivered vaginally, as the principal diagnosis.
Assign code P00.82 Newborn affected by
(positive) maternal group B streptococcus
(GBS) colonization, for GBS colonization.
Cough
Code R05, Cough, has been expanded and new codes created to
identify specific types of cough as noted below:
Non-Suicidal Self-Harm
Question:
A 13-year-old presented to the pediatrician’s
office after his mother witnessed, on several
occasions the patient intentionally biting
himself. He denied wanting to end his life and
stated that he often feels anxious because
of stressful situations at school. The provider
diagnosed non-suicidal self-harm. What is the
correct code assignment for non-suicidal self-
harm?
Answer:
Assign code R45.88, Nonsuicidal self-harm, for
this condition. Assign additional codes for any
bite injury.
Question:
What is the correct code assignment for
homocysteinemia?
Answer:
Assign code R79.83, Abnormal findings of
blood amino-acid level, for homocysteinemia.
Status
Tracking food allergy to red meat and other products derived from
mammals is important in alpha-gal syndrome, a recently identified
type of food allergy. In the United States, the condition most often
begins when a Lone Star tick bites a person and transmits the alpha-
gal sugar molecule into the person’s body. In some individuals, the
tick bite triggers an immune system reaction that later produces mild
to severe allergic reactions to mammalian meats.
History (of)
Counseling
Homelessness, sheltered
Defined as because of economic difficulties, currently living in a
shelter, motel, temporary or transitional living situation, scattered site
housing, or not having a consistent place to sleep at night.
Source Homelessness During Infancy: Associations With Infant and Maternal Health
and Hardship Outcomes
Source Unstable Housing and Caregiver and Child Health in Renter Families
Homelessness, unsheltered
Defined as residing in a place not meant for human habitation, such
as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street).
Source HUD
Question:
A patient presented for microsurgical
hemispherotomy for intractable seizures.
During surgery, the incision along the previous
suture line was opened. Subcutaneous
dissection was carried out down to the bone
flap, which was then elevated and retracted.
The dura was opened along the previous suture
line. At this point, entry into the temporal horn
was made. Using a cavitron ultrasonic surgical
aspirator (CUSA), the temporal horn was
gradually removed until the atrium was reached
and from the atrium, any tissue between the
ventricle and the thalamus was removed. The
choroid plexus was identified and medial to
the choroid plexus, an additional part of the
fornix was removed and sectioned. At this point
under visual inspection, it was confirmed that
the corpus callosum was completely resected
as also the frontal basal dissection. What is
the appropriate root operation for the use of a
cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) to
remove brain tissue?
Question:
A patient presented for left frontal lobe
resection of residual central nervous system
(CNS) neuroblastoma to reduce tumor burden.
At surgery, after incision and previous stitch
removal the scalp flap was reflected anteriorly,
the bony edge was delineated circumferentially,
the dura was tacked back and the brain
was inspected. There was an opening in the
frontal region anteriorly that was consistent
with residual tumor. Using the CUSA, pieces
of tumor were resected. Frozen specimen
came back positive for CNS neuroblastoma,
therefore, gross total resection identifying white
matter around the hemosiderin stained tissue in
this area was performed. Further resection was
completed in gross total fashion with the CUSA.
What is the appropriate root operation for the
use of a cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator
(CUSA) to resect the CNS neuroblastoma?
Answer:
Assign the following procedure code:
In code Table 02C, Extirpation of Heart and Great Vessels, new codes
have been created by adding Qualifier Value 7 Orbital Atherectomy
Technique, for the coronary artery body parts as shown below. The
change creates replacement codes in the Med/Surg Section for codes
deleted as a result of updating Section X Group 1 codes. For more
information on the updating of Section X, refer to page 57 of this
issue.
In code Table 02V, Restriction of Heart and Great Vessels, the body
part value L, Ventricle, Left, has been added to the device values
listed below for all available approaches. This change will allow
the identification of procedures such as placement of the Ancora
AccuCinch® device. The procedure is used to treat heart failure
and functional mitral regurgitation by targeting left ventricular (LV)
dysfunction and abnormal dilation of the heart.
Question:
A patient, who had been diagnosed with heart
failure, dyspnea and severe mitral regurgitation
with moderate to severe left ventricular
dysfunction and left ventricular ejection fraction,
underwent mitral valve annuloplasty using the
Ancora AccuCinch® percutaneous device.
During surgery, a wire was placed across
the aortic valve to gain access into the left
ventricular cavity. A flexible wire delivery sheath
was placed beneath the mitral annulus at the
superior aspect of the ventricle and the base
of the heart. The Trac™ catheter was placed
around the mitral annulus. The AccuCinch®
device was ultimately deployed. The device
seated well and there was a reduction of mitral
regurgitation. What is the appropriate ICD-10-
PCS code for mitral valve annuloplasty using
the Ancora AccuCinch® device?
Question:
A patient with pancytopenia underwent
percutaneous bone marrow biopsy. A
dermatotomy was created on the right thigh. A
bone marrow biopsy needle was advanced into
the femoral diaphysis just below the surgical
Answer:
Assign the following ICD-10-PCS codes:
Answer:
Assign the following ICD-10-PCS codes:
Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty
For Table 0RP, Removal of Upper Joints, the changes are shown
below:
Similar changes were made for Table 0RW, Revision of Upper Joints,
as shown below:
Transfusion
Facilities may use the new code, if desired, to report the utilization of
an endoscopic video imaging system that allows for the visualization
of hemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO2) levels of blood in superficial
tissue using a 2D endoscopic image during GI procedures. The
technology assists physicians in identifying potentially ischemic tissue
that is not appropriately oxygenated.
At code Table XNS, Bones, Reposition, new codes were created with
a new device/substance/technology value C Posterior (Dynamic)
Distraction Device, applied to the body part values for the lumbar
and thoracic vertebrae as shown below. The change identifies the
utilization of a posterior dynamic distraction device in procedures to
treat patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In addition, the
applicable ICD-10-PCS code(s) from table 0RG, Fusion Upper Joints,
or 0SG, Fusion Lower Joints, should be assigned for any spinal fusion
performed at the non-instrumented segment of the vertebrae.
Device/Substance/Technology
Narsoplimab
Trilaciclib
Lurbinectedin
Satralizumab-mwge
Lifileucel Immunotherapy
Changes have been made to resolve the conflict for the intravenous
administration of CAR T-cell therapies, which had been classified
to two different tables. The two codes in Table XW0, Anatomical
Regions, Introduction, were not product-specific, with Substance
value C, Engineered Autologous Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell
Immunotherapy. Yescarta® (axicabtagene ciloleucel) and KYMRIAH®
(tisagenlecleucel) were previously reported with the non-product-
specific codes. On the other hand, the two codes in Table XW2,
Anatomical Regions, Transfusion, were product specific with
Substance value 4 Brexucabtagene Autoleucel Immunotherapy, and
As noted in Coding Clinic, Fourth Quarter 2020, page 77, the root
operation Transfusion was originally utilized based on the root
operation definitions and receipt of public comments. CAR T-cell
therapy is comprised of blood/blood product, and therefore, the root
operation Transfusion was originally determined to be more clinically
accurate. The full definition for the root operation Introduction is
“Putting in or on a therapeutic, diagnostic, nutritional, physiological, or
prophylactic substance except blood or blood products.”
Device/Substance/Technology
Device/Substance/Technology
A Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel
K Idecabtagene Vicleucel Immunotherapy
Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel
Idecabtagene Vicleucel
A new code has been created at Section X code Table XXE Measure-
ment of Physiological Systems, to identify the use of software that
characterizes Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS)
Regions of Interest (ROIs) using computed tomography (CT) image
data as shown below. The new ICD-10-PCS code would be reported
in addition to the CT and CT angiogram using the appropriate codes
in Section B, Imaging.
V Infection, Serum/
Plasma Nanoparticle
Fluorescence SARS-
CoV-2 Antibody
Detection
9 Nose 7 Via Natural U Infection, 7 New
or Artificial Nasopharyngeal Technology
Opening Fluid SARS-CoV-2 Group 7
Polymerase Chain
Reaction
All three ICD-10-PCS codes are needed to report the ISC-REST test
kit:
80 Fourth Quarter 2021 Coding Clinic
Changes to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines
for Coding and Reporting
A summary of the modifications to the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines
for Coding and Reporting are included below. The complete guidelines
may be downloaded by visiting
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm
13. Laterality . . .
When laterality is not documented by the patient’s
provider, code assignment for the affected side
may be based on medical record documentation
from other clinicians. If there is conflicting medical
record documentation regarding the affected side,
the patient’s attending provider should be queried
for clarification. Codes for “unspecified” side should
d. Use of Z codes
Z codes (other reasons for healthcare encounters)
may be assigned as appropriate to further explain
the reasons for presenting for healthcare services,
including transfers between healthcare facilities, or
provide additional information relevant to a patient
encounter. The ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for
Coding and Reporting identify which codes maybe
assigned as principal or first-listed diagnosis only,
secondary diagnosis only, or principal/first-listed or
secondary (depending on the circumstances). Possible
applicable Z codes include:
Z59.0-, Homelessness . . .
g. Coronavirus infections
General guidelines . . .
a. Diabetes mellitus . . .
a. Hypertension . . .
5) Hypertensive Retinopathy
Subcategory H35.0, Background retinopathy and
retinal vascular changes, should be used along with a
code from categoryies I10 – I15, in the Hypertensive
diseases section, to include the systemic
hypertension. The sequencing is based on the reason
for the encounter
1) Code O94
Code O94, Sequelae of complication of pregnancy,
childbirth, and the puerperium, is for use in those
cases when an initial complication of a pregnancy
develops a sequela or sequelae requiring care or
treatment at a future date. . . .
e. Coma scale
Code R40.20, Unspecified coma, may be assigned in
conjunction with codes for any medical condition.
Do not report codes for unspecified coma, individual
1) Coma Scale
The coma scale codes (R40.21- to R40.24-) can
be used in conjunction with traumatic brain injury
codes. These codes are primarily for use by trauma
registries, but they may be used in any setting where
this information is collected. The coma scale codes
should be sequenced after the diagnosis code(s). . . .
4) History (of) . . .
A history of an illness, even if no longer present,
is important information that may alter the type of
treatment ordered.
9) Donor . . .
These codes are only for individuals donating for
others, as well as not for self-donations. . . .
10) Counseling . . .
The counseling Z codes/categories are . . .
B4.1c
If a procedure is performed on a continuous section of a tubular
body part, code the body part value corresponding to the furthest
anatomical site from the point of entry anatomically most proximal
(closest to the heart) portion of the tubular body part.
Example: A procedure performed on a continuous section of artery
from the femoral artery to the external iliac artery with the point of
entry at the femoral artery is coded to the external iliac body part. A
procedure performed on a continuous section of artery from the
femoral artery to the external iliac artery with the point of entry at
the external iliac artery is also coded to the external iliac artery
body part.
General guidelines
E1.a
Example: XW04321 Introduction of Ceftazidime-Avibactam Anti-
infective into Central Vein, Percutaneous Approach, New Technology
Group 1, can be coded to indicate that Ceftazidime-Avibactam Anti-
infective was administered via a central vein. XW043A6 Introduction
of Cefiderocol Anti-infective into Central Vein, Percutaneous
Approach, New Technology Group 6, can be coded to indicate
that Cefiderocol Anti-infective was administered via a central
vein.
Scenario 1:
Procedures that meet the definition of the root operation Control
use the same techniques—suturing or other ligation or clipping or
cautery of bleeding points, application of substances or pressure to
the site—as are typically meant by the term “achieving hemostasis”
during surgery. When any or all of these techniques are used during
a separate procedure performed to control acute bleeding, the root
operation Control is assigned. In such cases, the diagnosis on the
procedure report may include current or recent acute bleeding. Silver
nitrate cautery to treat acute nasal bleeding is used in the revised
guideline as an example of this type of scenario.
Scenario 2:
Because the root operation Control is only assigned when the
techniques used are the same as those typically used to “achieve
hemostasis,” any procedure performed to control bleeding that
uses a technique consistent with the definition of one of the other,
more specific root operations, then the procedure code is assigned
accordingly. A fundamental principle of ICD-10-PCS coding is that
the root operation definitions determine the most accurate code that
specifies physically what was done to the anatomic site. Assigning
root operation Occlusion for liquid embolization of the right internal
iliac artery to treat acute hematoma is used in the revised guideline as
an example of this type of scenario.
Question:
When a patient is diagnosed with COVID-19,
we understand that signs and symptoms are
not manifestations and would not be separately
coded. We also understand that Guideline
I.C.18.b. states that “signs or symptoms
that are routinely associated with a disease
process should not be assigned as additional
codes, unless otherwise instructed by the
classification.” When a patient diagnosed
with COVID-19 presents with both respiratory
signs/symptoms (e.g., shortness of breath,
cough) and non-respiratory signs/symptoms
(e.g. gastrointestinal problems, dermatologic
or venous sufficiency issues), may the non-
respiratory signs/symptoms/conditions be
coded separately since they are not routinely
associated with COVID-19? (4/28/2020; revised
8/25/21)
Answer:
People infected with COVID-19 may vary
from being asymptomatic to having a range of
symptoms and severity. Therefore, for coding
purposes, signs and symptoms associated with
COVID-19 may be coded separately, unless
the signs or symptoms are routinely associated
with a manifestation. For example, cough
would not be coded separately if the patient
has pneumonia due to COVID-19, as cough
is a symptom of pneumonia. The additional
coding of signs or symptoms not explained by
the manifestations would provide additional
information on the severity of the disease.
Answer:
Assign code M35.8, Other specified systemic
involvement of connective tissue, for discharg-
es prior to January 1, 2021, or code M35.81,
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome, for dis-
charges after January 1, 2021, as the principal
diagnosis, for the MIS-C, and code B94.8,
Sequelae of other specified infectious and
parasitic diseases, for discharges/encounters
prior to October 1, 2021, or code U09.9, Post
COVID-19 condition, unspecified, for discharg-
es/encounters on or after October 1, 2021, as
a secondary diagnosis for the sequelae of a
COVID-19 infection.
Question:
The patient presents to the facility with
symptoms such as generalized weakness and
lack of appetite, and the provider documents a
diagnosis of “post COVID-19 syndrome.” How
should this be coded? (12/11/2020; revised
8/25/21)
Answer:
Query the provider whether “residual
respiratory failure” refers to acute on chronic,
or chronic respiratory failure. Assign the
appropriate respiratory failure code based
on the response, followed by code B94.8,
Sequelae of other specified infectious and
parasitic diseases, for discharges/encounters
prior to October 1, 2021, or code U09.9,
Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified, for
discharges/encounters on or after October
1, 2021, as a secondary diagnosis, for the
sequelae of COVID-19 infection, since the
patient has been documented as no longer
infectious for COVID-19.
Question:
Patient has a long history of multiple transfers
between short term acute care hospitals
(STACH) and long-term care hospitals (LTCH)
for nearly 8 months. Patient is status post
prolonged hospitalizations for respiratory failure
and critical illness secondary to COVID-19
pneumonia. He never fully recovered from a
respiratory standpoint. He is now admitted
into the LTCH with COVID-19 listed as past
history for continued treatment of respiratory
failure with prolonged mechanical ventilation for
further continuation of vent weaning and rehab
services. COVID-19 treatment was completed 8
months ago at the STACH.
Question:
A patient who tested negative for COVID-19
several times as an outpatient now presents
to the Emergency Department because of
worsening symptoms. The patient was admitted
for treatment of possible pneumonia. He was
retested for COVID-19, and the results were
still negative; however, a COVID-19 antibody
test was positive. The provider’s final diagnostic
statement lists, “Post COVID-19 organizing
pneumonia.” Would pneumonia be considered
an acute manifestation of COVID-19, a
late effect/sequela of COVID- 19, or is the
COVID-19 coded as a personal history since
the most recent COVID-19 test is negative?
What is the principal diagnosis, COVID-19 or
pneumonia? (3/1/21; revised 8/25/21)
Answer:
Based on the documentation provided, the
patient has an organizing pneumonia due
to previous COVID-19 infection. Assign
code J84.89, Other specified interstitial
pulmonary diseases, followed by code B94.8.
Sequelae of other specified infectious and
parasitic diseases, for discharges/encounters
prior to October 1, 2021, or code U09.9,
Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified, for
Question:
A patient with a history of COVID-19
infection was admitted for treatment of acute
hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury with
chronic kidney disease. Follow-up COVID-19
testing was positive. The provider documented,
“COVID likely reflective of old noninfectious
virus.” How is the COVID-19 status captured
for this patient? Does the Official Coding and
Reporting Guideline I.C.1.g.1.a., “code only
confirmed cases” apply when the provider
documents the patient as “noninfectious”
but has a positive COVID-19 test during the
admission? (8/25/21)
Answer:
Assign code Z86.16, Personal history of
COVID-19. While the patient had a positive
COVID-19 test, the provider documented that
the patient was not actively infectious during
this admission. When the provider documents
“noninfectious” or “not infectious” COVID-19
status, this indicates that the patient no longer
has an active COVID-19 infection, therefore
assign code Z86.16 instead of code U07.1,
COVID-19.
Question:
A patient presented to the hospital with acute
respiratory failure and COPD exacerbation.
It was noted that the patient tested positive
for COVID-19 approximately 80 days prior to
this admission. A repeat COVID-19 test was
performed and came back positive but the
provider documented she did not consider the
patient’s status to be a COVID-19 “reinfection.”
The discharge summary states: “history of
COVID infection currently still testing positive
for COVID.” Is it appropriate to assign code
Z86.16, Personal history of COVID-19, or code
U07.1, COVID-19 since there is a positive test?
(8/25/21)
Answer:
Although the patient is still testing positive for
COVID-19, the provider has documented the
patient’s condition was a previous history of
a COVID-19 infection and not a reinfection,
therefore it would be appropriate to assign code
Z86.16, Personal history of COVID-19.
Question:
A patient presented for treatment of bulbous
pemphigoid bulla with surrounding cellulitis.
During the admission, the patient was tested for
COVID-19. Although the patient was completely
vaccinated, the physician documented the
COVID-19 test was positive. The patient was
subsequently placed in isolation and instructed
Answer:
Assign code U07.1, COVID-19. The provider’s
assessment stated “COVID-19 virus detected,”
and it is possible for a COVID-19 infection to
occur despite vaccination. This is consistent
with Official Guidelines for Coding and
Reporting, Section I.C.1.g.1.a., which states:
Code only a confirmed diagnosis of the 2019
novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as
documented by the provider or documentation
of a positive COVID-19 test result.
Question:
A patient was recently discharged from the
hospital, admitted to a nursing home, and
subsequently tested positive for COVID-19
via a rapid antigen test. The patient was
readmitted to the hospital for COVID-19;
however was asymptomatic. Repeat testing
x2 including confirmatory testing of COVID
PCR was negative. The provider consulted
with infectious disease and hematology and
it was documented the patient had a false
positive that did not represent a true COVID-19
infection. How is COVID-19 coded in this
scenario? (8/25/21)
Answer:
Assign code Z20.822, Contact with and
(suspected) exposure to COVID-19, as
principal diagnosis, for a patient admitted and
found to have a false positive COVID-19 test.
ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding
and Reporting, Section I.C.1.g.1.e. states:
For asymptomatic individuals with actual or
suspected exposure to COVID-19, assign
code Z20.822, Contact with and (suspected)
exposure to COVID-19.
Question:
Is it appropriate to report code Z28.3,
Underimmunization status, for encounters
where the provider documents the patient has
not been immunized against COVID-19??
(8/27/21).
Answer:
No, code Z28.3, Underimmunization status,
is not appropriate for this purpose. There is
currently no ICD-10-CM code available to
identify lack of immunization against COVID-19.
ICD-10-PCS Questions
Question:
What ICD-10-PCS procedure code should be
assigned for a new drug or other therapeutic
substance administered in the hospital
inpatient setting to treat COVID-19 when there
is no unique code for the administration of
the specific substance? (7/30/2020; revised
8/5/2020, 8/25/21)
Answer:
Yes, it would be appropriate to report code
R40.20, Coma, unspecified, with non-TBI
conditions when the patient is also comatose.
The intent of the coma guideline revision was
to indicate that coma scale score codes should
only be reported with traumatic brain injuries.
Code R40.20 does not fall into the coma
scale score code range. Therefore, assign
code R40.20, when coma is documented and
reporting requirements have been met.
Answer:
No, it is not appropriate to report code R40.20
for a medically induced coma. The Official
Guidelines for Coding and Reporting section
I.C.18.e. states, “Do not report codes for
unspecified coma, individual or total Glasgow
coma scale scores for a patient with a medically
induced coma or a sedated patient.”