ICD-10: 202.8x Will Make An Exit
When you begin using ICD-10 in a couple of years' time, the new code set will not always offer a simple one-to-one relationship to the old codes. Many a time you will have additional options that may require changing the way your physician documents a service and a way coder reports it.
When it comes to ICD-9, your go-to code for unspecified or other specified non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is 202.8x (Other lymphomas). As such, 202.8x serves as both an NEC (not elsewhere classifiable/other specified) and NOS (not otherwise specified/unspecified) code.
But when ICD-10 goes into effect, things will be a little different as the new system does things in a different way by offering one code range for HNL NEC and another code range for NHL NOS.
NEC: ICD-10 2011 includes C85.8- (Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma) for reporting NHL when the physician documents the type; however ICD-10 does not offer a more specific code appropriate for that diagnosis. To begin preparing to use this code range, take a look at the ICD-10 codes available for specified types of NHL. That way, you will be able to identify more quickly when the oncologist documents a type that does not match available specific codes. What's more, just like ICD-9, be sure to begin your ICD-10 code search in the index for terms that match your documentation. That'll help you identify the most specific code for your case.
NOS: ICD-10 2011 covers C85.9- (Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified) for use when the oncologist documents NHL without stating the specific type.
Fifth digit: The ICD-10 2011 and ICD-9 2011 NHL codes call for a fifth digit to be complete. The fifth digit sub-classification is based on the lymph nodes involved. The ICD-10 and ICD-9 options are somewhat similar, with one key difference. You'll have separate ICD-10 options for unspecified site (0) and extranodal and solid organ sites (9). In ICD-9, the two are both reported using fifth digit 0.
Bear in mind: When ICD-10 goes into effect on October 1, 2013, you should apply the codes and official guidelines in effect at that time. Get to know more about ICD-10 by signing up for a medical coding guide like Supercoder.
When it comes to ICD-9, your go-to code for unspecified or other specified non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is 202.8x (Other lymphomas). As such, 202.8x serves as both an NEC (not elsewhere classifiable/other specified) and NOS (not otherwise specified/unspecified) code.
But when ICD-10 goes into effect, things will be a little different as the new system does things in a different way by offering one code range for HNL NEC and another code range for NHL NOS.
NEC: ICD-10 2011 includes C85.8- (Other specified types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma) for reporting NHL when the physician documents the type; however ICD-10 does not offer a more specific code appropriate for that diagnosis. To begin preparing to use this code range, take a look at the ICD-10 codes available for specified types of NHL. That way, you will be able to identify more quickly when the oncologist documents a type that does not match available specific codes. What's more, just like ICD-9, be sure to begin your ICD-10 code search in the index for terms that match your documentation. That'll help you identify the most specific code for your case.
NOS: ICD-10 2011 covers C85.9- (Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, unspecified) for use when the oncologist documents NHL without stating the specific type.
Fifth digit: The ICD-10 2011 and ICD-9 2011 NHL codes call for a fifth digit to be complete. The fifth digit sub-classification is based on the lymph nodes involved. The ICD-10 and ICD-9 options are somewhat similar, with one key difference. You'll have separate ICD-10 options for unspecified site (0) and extranodal and solid organ sites (9). In ICD-9, the two are both reported using fifth digit 0.
Bear in mind: When ICD-10 goes into effect on October 1, 2013, you should apply the codes and official guidelines in effect at that time. Get to know more about ICD-10 by signing up for a medical coding guide like Supercoder.