The ICD-10 grace period ended on Oct 1, 2016 and chiropractors must now use ICD-10 codes that are considerably more specific than the ICD-9 codes. Reliable chiropractic medical billing and coding services are more relevant than ever before to help chiropractors manage the transition to the new codes smoothly.
In 2017, there will be 1,974 new codes, 311 deleted codes and 425 revised codes, and 70 of these changes will impact chiropractors. These 2017 ICD-10-CM codes are applicable for patient encounters occurring from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017. For each diagnostic code selected, providers must also specify whether the treatment was the initial visit or a subsequent visit. Documenting the exact level of the problem is paramount for proper reimbursement.
Here are some code changes that came into effect on October 1, 2016:
- M50.02 – Cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region has been deleted
This single code had been used to represent this condition when it was present at the level of C4-C5, C5-C6, or C6-C7.In 2017, M50.02 is replaced with more specific codes:- M50.020 – cervical disc disorder with myleopathymid-cervical region, unspecified level
- M50.021 – cervical disc disorder at C4-C5 level with myelopathy
- M50.022 – cervical disc disorder at C5-C6 level with myelopathy
- M50.023 – cervical disc disorder at C6-C7 level with myelopathy
The use of M50.020 for “cervical disc disorder with myelopathy, mid-cervical region, unspecified level” should be avoided as far as possible as it is an unspecified code.
- G56.03 – Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs is an important new addition to the ICD-10 code set for the FY 2017, effective October 1, 2016.The code classifications for G56.03 are:
- G00-G99 – Diseases of the nervous system
- G50-G59 – Nerve, nerve root and plexus disorders
- Category G56 – Mononeuropathies of upper limb
The specific codes for G56.03 are:
- G56.00 – Carpal tunnel syndrome, unspecified upper limb
- G56.01 – Carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper limb
- G56.02 – Carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper limb
- G56.03 – Carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper limbs
Some other relevant deletions and additions for 2017 include:
- M26.63 – Articular disc disorder of temporomandibular joint has been deleted and the following specific codes have been added:
- M26.631 – Articular disc disorder of right temporomandibular joint
- M26.632 – Articular disc disorder of left temporomandibular joint
- M26.633 – Articular disc disorder of bilateral temporomandibular joint
- M26.639 – Articular disc disorder of temporomandibular joint, unspecified side
- M26.61 – Adhesions and ankylosis of temporomandibular joint has been deleted and the following codes have been added:
- M26.611 – Adhesions and ankylosis of right temporomandibular joint
- M26.612 – Adhesions and ankylosis of left temporomandibular joint
- M26.613 – Adhesions and ankylosis of bilateral temporomandibular joint
- M26.619 – Adhesions and ankylosis of temporomandibular joint, unspecified side
While support from an experienced medical coding company can prove invaluable for chiropractors, they must make an effort to learn about the changes they face in 2017. Practice management software or electronic record systems should be updated to include the new codes. Documentation practices should be modified to support the new and more specific codes which need to be used on claims for services provided after October 1, 2016.
Holding a CPC certification from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), Natalie is a seasoned professional actively managing medical billing, medical coding, verification, and authorization services at OSI.