ICD-10 Codes: Annual Updates and Changes - Effective October 1, 2021
Don't Let M54.5 be the
Straw That Breaks YOUR Back!
Sound Medical Billing Solutions can help alleviate your back problems...and so much more!
The Annual CMS Updates of ICD-10 can take many by surprise. Commonly used diagnosis codes can be updated to require greater levels of detail, or can be removed from acceptance. Continued use of the changed or deleted code will render claims unpayable for any date of service on or after the effective date of October 1st.
This year, CMS has deleted one of the most commonly used codes in rehabilitation practices - M54.5. Starting October 1, 2021, therapists must code to a higher level of specificity for all patients regardless of the payer, Medicare, Commercial, Worker's Compensation and No-Fault.
At SMBS...We've Got Your BACK!
M54.5 Low Back Pain
M54.5 Low Back Pain has been DELETED, as of October 1, 2021, and replaced with the following:
M54.50 Low back pain, unspecified
M54.51 Vertebrogenic low back pain
M54.59 Other low back pain
Additional codes to consider are referenced to include the following designations:
S39.012 Low Back Strain
M51.2(?) Lumbago due to Intervertebral Disc Displacement
M54.4(?) Lumbago with Sciatica
*see the full code set for these and other options to best code your patient's presentation
Additional ICD-10 Changes that may affect your Physical Therapy or Chiropractic practice:
DELETED
M45.A Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis
NEW
M45.A0 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of unspecified sites in spine
M45.A1 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of occipito-atlanto-axial region
M45.A2 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of cervical region
M45.A3 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of cervicothoracic region
M45.A4 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of thoracic region
M45.A5 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of thoracolumbar region
M45.A6 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of lumbar region
M45.A7 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of lumbosacral region
M45.A8 Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M45.AB Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis of multiple sites in spine
BEST PRACTICE:
Review the ICD10 Code Change List and Active Tabular List to identify ICD10 code changes and Active ICD10 codes that may benefit your professional practice.
UPDATES and CHANGES can be found at: om/ICD10CM/Codes/Changes/New_Codes/1?year=2022
The complete active ICD10 Tabular List can be found at: https://www.icd10data.com/ICD10CM/Codes
Give us a call and we will be happy to highlight the ICD-10 code changes for your specialty!
Let us provide your SOUND MEDICAL BILLING SOLUTIONS!
John Spiezio, President
Sound Medical Billing Solutions, LLC
Call, click or email for more information about this or any other topic that my affect your practice. We will be happy to help!
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