More than 300 new and changed ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes went into effect Oct. 1, and as in previous years, no grace period means the new codes must be used for all patient care provided now.

That’s the word from SHC’s Compliance Department, said Jean Stone, the facility fee/auditor/trainer responsible for putting the word out.

“Care providers are strongly urged to utilize the most current ICD-9 code book (FY 2007) to avoid claims and authorization denials,” Stone explained. “Accurate diagnosis codes are essential to the billing and reimbursement process for both physicians and facilities. And beyond that they provide vital information that helps support medical necessity and facilitates coverage for the care provided to our patients.

So how can physicians easily access this information?

Obviously they can pick up a code book from the usual sources,” said Stone, and beyond that there are some useful web resources. Diagnosis reference sheets for a variety of medical specialties are available on the SHC Compliance Department/ Facility Fee Audit & Training web page:

Intranet.stanfordmed.org/departments/ComplianceDepartment/compliance FacFee.

Caregivers can also find a list of new codes that just took effect and a list of the codes that went away in October at the website as well.

The new codes are also available on a public website:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD9ProviderDiagnosticCodes/07_summarytables.
asp#TopOfPage

And for questions or further information, contact Stone at 650-724-3849.