2024 Changes to ICD-10 codes

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Q: Can you please give us an update on the ICD-10 codes that went into effect October of this year?

A: While the 2024 ICD-10 code changes were published in June 2023, it’s good to have a refresher closer to the October 1, 2023 implementation date.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced 395 new diagnosis codes, 25 deletions and 13 revisions for the fiscal year (FY) 2024 ICD-10-CM code set.They also updated the ICD-10 code set in the 2024 Addendum, which includes revisions to several dozen new codes pertain to osteoporosis with fractures, retinopathy and muscle entrapment in the eye, and disease of the nervous system in addition to modifications to Code First, Excludes1 and Excludes2 designations, laterality, Use Additional coding, etc.So be sure to review those directives when choosing your ICD-10 code because they could have changes.

Chapter 20 – External Causes of Morbidity (V00-Y99) has the biggest remodel in this year’s codes with 123 updates, almost half of this year’s new codes. The expansion in this chapter pertains to foreign bodies, including batteries, plastic objects, glass items, metal objects (magnetic and non-magnetic), organic and non-organic items, and sharp objects entering into or through a natural orifice.Some examples include:

W44.B3xAPlastic toy and toy part entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter

W44.H0xAOther sharp object unspecified, entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter

W44.F3xAFood entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter

W44.A1XAButton battery entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter

W44.C0XAGlass unspecified, entering into or through a natural orifice, initial encounter

W44.H2XDKnife, sword or dagger entering into or through a natural orifice, subsequent

Chapter 13 - Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99), has 42 new codes to help further define osteoporosis with pathological fracture.For instance:

M80.8B2POther osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, left pelvis, subsequent encounter for fracture with malunion

M80.8B9DOther osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, unspecified pelvis, subsequent encounter for fracture with routine healing

M80.0B1KAge-related osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, right pelvis, subsequent encounter for fracture with nonunion

M80.0B2GAge-related osteoporosis with current pathological fracture, left pelvis, subsequent encounter for fracture with delayed healing

Chapter 7 - Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa (H00-H59), has 34 additions and one deletion. The new codes include non-proliferative/proliferative sickle-cell retinopathy, other strabismus to include specific eye muscle entrapment, and foreign body sensation. The changes also include laterality.

Chapter 21 - Factors Influencing Health Status and Contact with Health Services (Z00-Z99), has 30 additions and six deletions. The deletions are due to expanded diagnosis codes. The new codes include observation of newborn for suspected condition ruled out, carrier of Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria, encounter for prophylactic measures, family history of specific colon polyps and caregiver’s non-compliance type. Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) have also been enhanced, with new codes for child custody and parental/adult-child conflict.

Other notable FY 2024 final ICD-10-CM code updates include:

• 24 new codes added to Chapter 6 - Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99)
• 34 new codes added to Chapter 7, Diseases of the eye and adnexa (H00-H59)
• 22 new codes added and six revised in Chapter 17 - Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)

Renee Dowling is a compliance auditor at Sansum Clinic, LLC, in Santa Barbara, California.