| FY2019 ICD-10-CM codes released, 38 additional changes finalized A total of 615 code changes will take effect on Oct. 1, including 279 new codes, 285 revised codes and 51 code deletions, according to the FY2019 ICD-10-CM update, released June 11. The final FY2019 code set includes 32 additional new codes that weren't on the proposed list released April 24. Additionally, 285 codes underwent revision in the tabular section, which includes changes to code descriptions as well as tabular instructions. The majority of the new codes added to the final update are codes describing exploitation of children and adults, such as T76.51xD (Adult forced sexual exploitation, suspected, subsequent encounter) and Z91.42 (Personal history of forced labor or sexual exploitation). As originally proposed, a go-to code for an infected surgical wound, T81.4xxA, is among the 51 codes that are set to be deleted. In its place, coders will have 15 additional codes added to an expanded T81.4- subcategory that will allow them to more accurately report the depth of the infection. For example, coders will be able to specify whether the surgical wound infection is affecting the superficial incision surgical site (T81.41-), the deep incisional surgical site (T81.42-) or the organ and space surgical site (T81.43-). Other surgical site and unspecified options are also available (T81.49- and T81.40-). Each of these codes requires a seventh character: “A,” “D” or “S.” New codes T81.41-, T81.42- and T81.43- will receive additional inclusion terms to help guide coders to the appropriate code choice. “Subcutaneous abscess following a procedure” and “Stitch abscess following a procedure” will be placed at T81.41-. “Intra-muscular abscess following a procedure” will be added to T81.42- while “Intra-abdominal abscess following a procedure” and “Subphrenic abscess following a procedure” will be placed at T81.43-. Additionally, three new codes are proposed to uniquely capture postprocedural sepsis, T81.44- (Sepsis following a procedure), with seventh character options “A,” “D” or “S.” In the FY2018 code set, postprocedural sepsis is coded to the same code for an infected surgical wound, T81.4-, according to the alphabetic index. The tabular instruction to “Use Additional code to identify the sepsis” will be added to the new postprocedural sepsis code T81.44. No new codes were added for non-healing surgical and trauma wounds and pathological fracture of the ribs and pelvis due to osteoporosis, which have been requested by the Association of Home Care Coding and Compliance (AHCC) and DecisionHealth and discussed at past meetings of the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee. – Megan Batty (mbatty@decisionhealth.com) and DecisionHealth editors Editor’s note: Stay tuned to your DecisionHealth publication for further coverage of the FY2019 ICD-10 code updates. To view the FY2019 final code changes, go to https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm.
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