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Gear Up For Cardiology Coding Guidelines 2021

You’d be facing e a whole slew of cardiology coding and reimbursement changes in 2021 – and if the preview of the ICD-10-CM updates has given you the clue of the awaiting changes, you should know that there are a lot of new, deleted, and revised codes to know.

CMS is proposing huge changes for E&M codes that impact your reimbursement and documentation – get the tools to be well-informed for the coming year.

With new ICD-10-CM codes for 2021 coming your way, MBC has tried its best to dive into the details.

In the past, we have seen a great deal of ICD-10 code updates; specifically speaking about 450+ code changes along with 320 new additions, 172 coding revisions, and 48 codes converted to their respective parent code.

The notable add-ons include new codes to define misuse of children and adults and to address the increase in human trafficking cases, as well as new codes that expand the T81.4- sub-category for infected surgical wounds which will be accommodating in reporting the depth of infection.

The New Cardiology Code Updates For 2021

However; there were minimal changes affecting cardiology, it’s always advisable to review changes relevant to your cardiology specialty.

Cerebral Infarction Additions

Category I63- Cerebral infarction will be the one added to the below-mentioned codes:

  • I63.81 — Other cerebral infarction due to occlusion or stenosis of the small artery. This code will also include lacunar infarction.
  • I63.89 — Other c000erebral infarction

The New Subcategory Under Category I67-

Category I67- Other cerebrovascular diseases will add the new subcategory I67.85- which is Hereditary cerebrovascular diseases to your coding arsenal.

Under this subcategory, below mentioned are the new codes:

  • I67.850 — Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy. This diagnosis will also include CADASIL.
  • I67.858 — Other hereditary cerebrovascular diseases

Under I67.850 i.e. other cerebrovascular diseases there’s a new code which instructs you to report any associated diagnoses. This includes epilepsy and recurrent seizures G40 -; cerebral infarction I63.-; and vascular dementia F01.-.

Some of the New Miscellaneous Cardiology Code Revisions

  • I22.8

Subsequent posterior true transmural Q wave myocardial infarction

  • T46.4X

Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors

  • T81.11

Post-procedural cardiogenic shock

  • T81.11XA

Post-procedural cardiogenic shock, initial encounter

  • T81.11XD

Post-procedural cardiogenic shock, subsequent encounter

  • T81.11XS — Post-procedural cardiogenic shock, the sequel

FAQs

1. What changes were made to the ICD-10-CM codes for 2021?

In 2021, there were 450+ code changes, including 320 new additions, 172 revisions, and 48 codes converted to parent codes, with new codes related to human trafficking, surgical infections, and cerebrovascular diseases.

2. How do the new cerebral infarction codes impact cardiology billing?

The new codes, including I63.81 for lacunar infarction and I63.89 for other cerebral infarctions, allow for more detailed reporting of cerebral infarctions, especially those related to small artery occlusions and stenosis.

3. What is the significance of the new subcategory for hereditary cerebrovascular diseases (I67.85)?

This new subcategory includes codes for conditions like CADASIL (I67.850) and other hereditary cerebrovascular diseases (I67.858), with instructions to report associated diagnoses such as epilepsy or vascular dementia.

4. What are the updates to the coding for myocardial infarctions in 2021?

New revisions, such as I22.8 for subsequent posterior transmural myocardial infarctions, provide more specific classifications for different types of myocardial infarctions, improving coding accuracy and documentation.

5. How do the updates to T81 codes affect cardiology practices?

The revised T81.11 codes for post-procedural cardiogenic shock provide clarity on reporting initial, subsequent, or sequel encounters, ensuring more accurate documentation and reimbursement for post-surgical complications.

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