The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the April 2024 ICD-10-CM code updates that include significant changes impacting the medical coding process. These changes are designed to clarify coding procedures and ensure more accurate disease reporting.
While the latest update does not introduce new diagnosis codes, it includes significant additions, deletions, and revisions to the index and tabular entries, along with instructional notes. There are no changes to the ICD-10-CM Table of Drugs and Chemicals, External Cause of Injuries Index, or Table of Neoplasms in the April 2024 update.
Index to Diseases and Injuries Updates
There are five alphabetic sections of the ICD-10-CM Index to Diseases and Injuries that have updates as of April 1, 2024, to streamline and clarify coding options for specific conditions.
- Under B, the term "obliterated" was removed as a non-essential modifier for chronic bronchiolitis under the main term, Bronchiolitis.
- Under C, seven new subterms were added under the main term of calculus/calculi/calculous, including subterms related to the bile duct and various conditions involving calculi in the urinary system, such as the ureter and kidney, with complications like hydronephrosis and infection.
- Under D, the code directed by a search of the index under depression and central nervous system was changed from R09.2 Respiratory Arrest to code G98.8 Other Disorders of the Central Nervous System. This change is significant because R09.2 is categorized as a Major Complication or Comorbidity (MCC) condition, and the new code, G98.8, does not classify as an MCC, impacting the classification of central nervous system conditions. Also, under the main term disease, they made a correction to remove the second “r” from priapism.
- Under F, the code for the symptom described as a foreign body sensation in the throat was updated from R09.89, which covered various symptoms and signs involving the circulatory and respiratory systems, to R09.A2. This update reflects an expansion of category R09 to better classify this specific condition.
- Under M, Mpox was added as a new main term.
Tabular List Updates
There are 11 chapters in the ICD-10-CM Tabular List with updates effective April 1, 2024.
- Chapter 1 Certain infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99) with Mpox added as an inclusion term under code B04 Monkeypox
- Chapter 4 Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E89) changed the instructional note under code E89.1 from “Use Additional Code” for diabetes mellitus to “Code first”, if applicable, diabetes mellitus note
- Chapter 6 Diseases of the nervous system (G00-G99)
- Chapter 9 Diseases of the circulatory system (I00-I99)
- Chapter 10 Diseases of the respiratory system
- Chapter 11 Diseases of the digestive system
- Chapter 15 Pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (O00-O9A)
- Chapter 16 Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96)
- Chapter 17 Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99)
- Chapter 18 Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)
- Chapter 21 Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting Updates
There are two ICD-10-CM coding guidelines updated as of April 1, 2024.
- I.C.4.a.6.b.i Secondary diabetes mellitus due to pancreatectomy
- I.C.21.c.7 Categories of Z Codes, Aftercare.
The April 2024 ICD-10-CM code updates require a thorough review by coding professionals to ensure accurate coding, reporting, and billing practices. It is vital for coders to understand the latest developments. Training and continuous education are key strategies to adapt to these updates effectively, and we encourage you to contact us if we can provide medical coding services and support to your healthcare organization.
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