b'ICD-10CODING Update ComplianceUpdates for 2022By David Kein ANJC Coding & Compliance ConsultantLEGAL NUTRITION UpdateThe official ICD-10 updates for Fiscal Year 2022 went intoUnder Guideline No. 18, Use of Sign/Symptom/Unspeci-effect Oct. 1 of this year.There were 211 code changes (159fied Codes of the General Coding Guidelines, there was a new, 25 deleted, and 27 revised) and there were updates andnew paragraph added to the guidance:clarifications to some guidelines. To see the complete list ofAs stated in the introductory section of these official coding ANJC Newschanges, go to https://www.cms.gov/medicare/icd-10/2022- guidelines, a joint effort between the healthcare provider and ANJC Leadership ANJC News! icd-10-cm. the coder is essential to achieve complete and accurate docu-As stated above, the 2022 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codeNUTRITION mentation, code assignment, and reporting of diagnoses and LEGAL EASE procedures. The importance of consistent, complete documen-changes for next year went into effect on Oct. 1, 2021.Mosttation in the medical record cannot be overemphasized. Without changes are limited for chiropractic offices and the numbersuch documentation, accurate coding cannot be achieved. The of changes is comparable to last year.After the 2022entire record should be reviewed to determine the specific updates, we are up to 72,775 codes! The key changes thisreason for the encounter and the conditions treated.year are as follows:New Code: REHAB Update Getting ahead and being prepared for these changes is key Member Scholarships to not being caught with denials.My suggestion is to perform G44.86 Cervicogenic headache an analysis and prepare for the 2022 ICD-10-CM changes.This code includes the instruction: Code also associated cervical spinal condition, if known Every Practice should perform the following:Deleted Code:1.Download the Tabular Addenda for 2021 from CMS located M54.5 Low back pain CHIRO Assistat:https://www.cms.gov/medicare/icd-10/2021-icd-10-cm New Codes: This website will open a page direct from Medicare that will allow LEGAL Q&A a user to download the changes. Providers can select the zip file M54.50 Low back pain, unspecified named 2021 Addendum ZIP.After opening the zip file, select Executive Directors UpdateLoin pain the PDF document labeled icd10cm_tabular_addenda_2022. Lumbago NOS This file contains all the changes for every chapter. M54.51 Vertebrogenic low back pain 2.2020 ANJC AWARDSDetermine which codes affect your practice and review theLow back vertebral endplate pain clinical concepts behind any new codes. M54.59 Other low back pain 3.Update your software/EHR and make sure that the new At first glance, vertebrogenic low back pain may appear tocodes will be available by the deadline.Some vendors will Legislative Update add them automatically while others may require providers to be a good option for chiropractic, however, this condition INSURANCE Update INSURANCE Update will likely need to include diagnostic evidence of endplateenter the codes into the system manually.damage, as visualized on MRI.In other words, M54.50 is4.Remember, on and after October 1, providers should probably the best option to replace what was previouslyTECHNIQUE Update select the codes based on the date of service, not based on reported with the now deleted code M54.5.However, bethe date the claim is sent.Claims for dates of service prior to cautious, as M54.50 is an unspecified code.Additionally,October 1, 2021 will use the 2021 version regardless of when pain is considered more of a symptom and not a definitivethe claim is sent.diagnosis, so if you can diagnose whats causing the pain,The updates that came October 1st should not have a big then there is no need to code the pain itself. impact on your office, so long as you take some simple steps MedicareQ&AMedicare Update Additionally, there are a few changes made this year to theto prepare. ICD-10 guidelines that have relevance to chiropractors.OUR HEALTHGeneral Coding Guideline No. 13 has this guidance added: David Klein, CPC, CPMA, CHC, is co-founder of PayDCWhen laterality is not documented by the patients provider,www.paydc.com, a web-based EHR system that focuses on code assignment for the affected side may be based onefficiency, compliance and reimbursement.He is a certified medical record documentation from other clinicians. If thereprofessional coder and certified professional medical auditor is conflicting medical record documentation regarding thethrough the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC), affected side, the patients attending provider should beand is certified in healthcare compliance through the Healthqueried for clarification. Codes for unspecified side shouldCare Compliance Board (HCCB).He is the Founder and President rarely be used, such as when the documentation in theof DK Coding & Compliance, Inc. a healthcare consulting firmrecord is insufficient to determine the affected side and it isthat focuses on audit defense, education, compliance and reim-not possible to obtain clarification. bursement issues. www.njchiropractors.com I 9'