Reimbursement Advisor

Decoding the codes: How to apply the new ICD-9

Author and Disclosure Information

At last—specific codes for diminished libido, emergency contraception, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Also notable are new codes for urinary urgency, long-term drug therapy, glucose levels, peripartum cardiomyopathy—and 3 SARS codes.


 

References

KEY POINTS
  • The new code 799.81 can be assigned for visits involving complaints of decreased libido or sexual desire.
  • A new code, V25.03, covers encounters regarding emergency or postcoital contraception or counseling.
  • PMDD has been added as an inclusion term to code 625.4 (premenstrual tension syndrome).
Three of the biggest dilemmas plaguing Ob/Gyn coders in recent years have finally been tackled by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM):
  • decreased libido
  • emergency contraception
  • premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

These and other changes that went into effect October 1 may lead to significant revisions in practice encounter forms. (See Quick reference: ICD-9-CM updates.)

Just remember that some payers can take 6 months or longer to recognize new and revised codes, so be sure to find out when your payers plan to implement the updates, to avoid those troublesome “invalid diagnosis” denials.

The big 3

Decreased libido. This first change is exciting not only to coders, but also to physicians, who have long lobbied for such an update.

Until now, ICD-9 listed the code for decreased libido in its mental health chapter. Ob/Gyns frequently counsel patients on this condition, but—as many Ob/Gyn coders can attest—the mental health code made recouping payment difficult, due to a perceived “mismatch” of services on the part of payers. The new code 799.81 can be assigned for visits associated with complaints of decreased libido or sexual desire.

This change recognizes that this symptom needs to be investigated before the woman is labeled as mentally ill.

Emergency contraception. Before this year no code existed for emergency contraception, making it difficult for billers to describe to payers the nature of these encounters. A new code, V25.03, can be assigned for visits involving emergency or postcoital contraception or counseling.

PMDD. Like emergency contraception, until this year PMDD was never referenced in the ICD-9-CM codebook. But now PMDD has been added as an inclusion term to code 625.4 (premenstrual tension syndrome), and the acronym will be directly referenced in the alphabetic index. This update makes it clear that premenstrual tension syndrome and PMDD are related conditions that are coded the same.

Urgency is the intense feeling of having to urinate; urge incontinence is this feeling plus an inability to make it to the bathroom.

Other notable changes

These code changes might not have the impact of the modifications listed above, but Ob/Gyn coders would do well to familiarize themselves with the following updates.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy. ICD-9-CM has added a new code for this condition: 674.5X. Peripartum cardiomyopathy refers to cardiac failure due to heart muscle disease in the period before, during, or after delivery.

As with all obstetric chapter codes, this will require a fifth digit; for this new code, there are 5 to choose from:

  • 0 (unspecified as to episode of care or not applicable),
  • 1 (delivered, with or without mention of antepartum condition),
  • 2 (delivered, with mention of postpartum complication),
  • 3 (antepartum condition or complication), or
  • 4 (postpartum condition or complication).
Although this code lists “postpartum cardiomyopathy” as an inclusion term, it may be used when the event occurs during the antepartum period (as evidenced by the fifth digit of 3).

Note that this condition was formerly referenced to 674.8X (postpartum cardiopathy); practice encounter forms may need revision to capture the new diagnosis.

Pelvic peritoneal adhesions in the gravida. For coders wondering which ICD-9 code to assign to a pregnant patient with pelvic peritoneal adhesions, the alphabetic index now specifically references code 648.9X (other current conditions in the mother classifiable elsewhere, but complicating pregnancy, childbirth, or the puerperium).

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). 079.82 is reported for SARS-associated coronavirus; 480.3 is assigned to pneumonia due to SARS-associated coronavirus; V01.82 is reported if the patient is exposed to SARS-associated coronavirus.

Note that if a pregnant patient exposed to SARS is being monitored for the condition, use V22.2 (pregnancy incidental) plus V01.82. If the patient is being tested for the SARS virus, use code V73.89 (special screening examination for other specified viral diseases). You would not report an Ob-chapter ICD-9 code unless the patient developed SARS or SARS-like symptoms.

Obesity. The inclusion term “severe obesity” has been added to the existing code 278.01 (morbid obesity).

In general, morbid obesity refers to a patient who is over her ideal body weight by 50% to 100% or 100 pounds, or who has a body mass index greater than 39. Severe obesity usually refers to a patient who is more than 100 pounds overweight. These terms are sometimes used interchangeably and this update clarifies that 278.01 would be reported for either term used by the physician.

Pages

Recommended Reading

Undiagnosed genetic condition associated with infants’ brain damage
MDedge ObGyn
Labioplasty performed instead of authorized episiotomy scar revision
MDedge ObGyn
Undiagnosed CHARGE syndrome leads to multiple birth defects
MDedge ObGyn
Third-trimester ultrasound scans
MDedge ObGyn
Scanning for breech, low amniotic fluid
MDedge ObGyn
‘Once per exam’ means once per encounter
MDedge ObGyn
Did delay result in stage IV breast cancer?
MDedge ObGyn
Episiotomy, fourth-degree tear lead to colorectal surgery
MDedge ObGyn
Were ovaries removed without consent?
MDedge ObGyn
Amniotic fluid embolism precedes mother’s death
MDedge ObGyn