Start training your staff on the diagnosis code changes that will go into effect Oct. 1. CMS will adopt the ICD-10-CM additions, revisions and deletions that it previewed in April (
PBN blog 4/11/25).
The update will usher in 487 new codes, including the 112 new non-pressure chronic ulcer codes and two codes related to the Gulf War theater: T75.830- (Gulf war illness) and Z77.31 (Contact with and [suspected] exposure to Gulf War theater) that Part B News first reported in April.
The available files, including the tabular addenda, are located
here.
Watch for deleted, revised codes
Pay close attention to new codes that represent expansions of the 28 deleted codes. For example, H01.8 (Other specified inflammations of eyelid) will expand into nine new codes, and R10.2 (Pelvic and perineal pain) will be replaced by six codes.
Also share the 38 revised codes that will go into effect Oct. 1. For example, L02.212 (Cutaneous abscess of back [any part, except buttock]) will be revised to (Cutaneous abscess of back [any part, except buttock and flank]) (emphasis added). In Chapter 19: Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88), the update revises the descriptor for codes which currently state unspecified fracture of the wrist and hand to state unspecified fracture of the hand.
Tune into the tabular
Include revisions to the tabular section of the update in your training for treating providers and coders because these fine details can answer coding questions and mean the difference between a covered claim and a denial. You’ll find changes in every chapter except chapter 8 (Diseases of the ear and mastoid process [H60-H95]) and chapter 22 (Codes for special purposes [U00-U85]).
For example, you’ll find new notes that incorporate new code E11.A (Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications in remission), such as a new Excludes1 note, which tells you the new code cannot be reported with E11.9 (Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications). Clarifying terms “lateral abdomen pain,” “lateral flank pain” and “latus region pain” for the new codes for pain localized to flank will assist with code selection.
Finally, stay tuned for the update to the ICD-10-CM guidelines, which usually appears in August.