Codes to capture post COVID-19 condition, social determinants of health finalized in 2022 code update

Despite being absent from the codes listed in the proposed code update, U09.9 (Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified) was included as part of the 159 new codes finalized to be added to the ICD-10 code set on Oct. 1.

 

This code — which was proposed for implementation at the March ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance meeting — will be used to capture post COVID-19 conditions — or cases when a patient continues to have lingering symptoms after the infection is gone.

 

This code is not to be used in cases that are still presenting with active COVID-19. However, an exception is made in cases of re-infection with COVID-19, occurring with a condition related to prior COVID-19, according to the FY2022 Tabular addenda.

 

Coders should list U09.9 secondary to specific codes for lingering conditions such as chronic respiratory failure (J96.1-), loss of smell (R43.8), loss of taste (R43.8), multisystem inflammatory syndrome (M35.81), pulmonary embolism (I26.-) and pulmonary fibrosis (J84.10), according to new tabular instructions for the code

Coders and industry experts alike expressed excitement over the potential inclusion of this code.

 

In addition to the 159 new codes, this update also includes 20 revised codes and 32 codes deemed invalid. The FY2022 addenda was posted to the CDC’s website June 23.

 

 

Also of note for home health are several new codes to capture various social determinants of health including Z55.5 (Less than a high school diploma), Z58.6 (Inadequate drinking-water supply) and Z59.00 (Homelessness unspecified).

 

Industry experts noted that the addition of social determinants of health codes are beneficial as they will be important items in OASIS-E.

 

Coders will also find more than a dozen new codes that describe poisonings, adverse effects and underdosing for synthetic cannabinoids. For example, T40.721A (Poisoning by synthetic cannabinoids, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter) and T40.725A (Adverse effect of synthetic cannabinoids, initial encounter).

 

The final update also includes eight new codes to further capture irritant contact dermatitis including L24.A1 (Irritant contact dermatitis due to saliva) and L24.B0 (Irritant contact dermatitis related to unspecified stoma or fistula).

 

For more details on the 2022 final code update, see upcoming issues of DecisionHealth newsletters.