Question: Will there be any updates to ICD-10 diagnosis codes this year that will affect chiropractic claims?
This is always a question I welcome, particularly at this time of year. A big reason to become aware of the 2021 new-year changes to diagnosis is that although they are indicated as 2021 codes, they actually update on Oct. 1, 2020, not in 2021. Thus, these updates require that any date of service or billing on or after Oct. 1, 2020, must reflect the new or revised code, or it will be denied.
For diagnosis, here are the 2021 stats for ICD-10: There will be 72,616 codes in ICD-10CM (clinical modification) containing 490 additions, 58 deletions and 47 revisions. While these are certainly considerable changes, it is always important to focus on codes you use commonly; or ones under the scope and reimbursement for chiropractic providers. Of course, reimbursement for chiropractic claims revolves around neuromusculoskeletal codes; therefore, my focus is on codes in that range.
Considering the annual updates, you are likely aware that some years, the updates create major changes for common chiropractic diagnosis codes. For instance, the first update in 2017 had about 100 codes commonly used by chiropractors. This included updates to the cervical disc codes, sprain and strain of the jaw, temporomandibular disorder codes, and postsurgical pain codes. In 2018, the only significant change for chiropractic was for spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine, which added codes for with and without neurogenic claudication; while 2019 included new and specific code updates for myalgia, postpartum depression and muscular dystrophy.
For 2020, there was a change to vertigo; and multiple additions to foot and ankle disorders, and foot congenital anomalies or deformities. These are not common, as vertigo would likely fall under a complication or comorbidity; and the foot anomalies certainly if related to a foot orthosis.
2021: New Codes for Headache
This year has one change that will certainly affect doctors of chiropractic. The code for headache R51 is being deleted and replaced. Code R51 is (was) the diagnosis code used for headache, with the approximate synonyms being:
It is the most common form of head pain. It is pain in various parts of the head, not confined to the area of distribution of any nerve.
There will be two new codes to replace R51 and the new codes have four characters each:
Note: If you place to few or too many characters for a given code, it will be denied as not to the highest level of specificity.
Orthostatic headache is a condition in which a person develops a headache while vertical, and the headache is relieved when horizontal. Previously, it was often misdiagnosed as different primary headache disorders such as migraine or tension headaches. This code was added to differentiate several codes related to intracranial hypotension and cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
Based on this clarification, it is clear that the common headache code replacing R51 would be to use R51.9 headache, unspecified, which would include all the synonyms noted above.
New Codes for TMJ Issues
There are also some less common codes for 2021, but certainly within the scope of neuromusculoskeletal coding for chiropractors, for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. Chiropractors can and do treat TMJ conditions, which include TMJ disorders M26.601 through M26.603; and sprain and strain of the jaw M26.621 through M26.629 and M26.31 to M26.639. However, these new codes do give additional information and specificity for TMJ for arthritis and arthropathy:
Code Changes for Other Joint-Related Disorders
The other new codes involve joint-related disorders for other specified joints. These include:
Doctors of chiropractic are not limited to neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis; however, payment of a claim by all carriers including general health, Medicare, worker's compensation, personal injury and VA claims do require such.
How Are ICD-10 Codes Used and Why Are They Important?
As stated to me as part of the Functional Disability Reference Group for WHO and ICD-11, "For chiropractic to count it must be accounted for." This occurs when chiropractic providers assign both diagnosis and CPT coding so data and outcomes can be detailed and followed as to the efficacy of chiropractic services.
Editor's Note: Submit billing questions to Mr. Collins at sam@hjrossnetwork.com. Your question may be the subject of a future column.
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