2019 Code Changes are Just Around the Corner - Are You Ready?
September 24th, 2018 - Wyn Staheli, Director of Research
The leaves are beginning to change and it’s time once again for the annual code changes for 2019. ICD-10-CM codes are out and will be effective October 1, 2018. CPT code changes also just came out and will be effective January 1, 2019. The ChiroCode DeskBook and ICD-10-CM Coding for Chiropractic books have been updated and are now shipping! HCPCS code changes are not yet available, but will be by December, at which time, we will let you know about revisions that may affect your practice.
As for ICD-10-CM codes, the one that is most significant for chiropractic care is the expansion of the code we typically use for myofascial pain syndrome, M79.1 “Myalgia”. It has been expanded to the following:
M79.10 Myalgia, unspecified site
M79.11 Myalgia of mastication muscle
M79.12 Myalgia of auxiliary muscles, head and neck
M79.18 Myalgia, other site
Be sure to implement policies to ensure documentation clearly identifies the site to ensure proper code selection.
Code G71.0 “Muscular dystrophy” has also been expanded and there are hundreds of other less significant changes. There were quite a few minor revisions to the External Causes, Chapter 20. For example, snowboarding is now one word instead of two.
The CPT codebook also has hundreds of changes and although there are no changes to the bread-and-butter CMT codes, code 64550 “ Application of surface (transcutaneous) neurostimulator (eg, TENS unit)” has been deleted. It appears that the surface application of neurostimulators is no longer separately payable.
Other ChiroCode DeskBook Updates
Code changes aren't the only thing changed in the 2019 ChiroCode DeskBook. We also have:
- New x-ray coding table makes code selection easier
- Revised Timed Codes segment to clarify multiple procedure reporting requirements
- Added more index terms
- Medicare section updated. Includes Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program information
New appendix discusses the details of Medicare’s proposed E/M guideline revisions.
Be sure to get your 2019 books today - CLICK HERE.
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