The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the proposed changes to the ICD-10-CM code set for fiscal year 2024. The changes include the addition of 395 new codes, the deletion of 25 existing codes, and the revision of 22 codes. These changes will have a significant impact on the revenue cycle for healthcare organizations.
ICD-10-PCS has 78 new codes, 14 revised titles, and 5 deleted codes.
Specific Changes to the 2024 ICD-10-CM Code Set
The following are some of the specific changes to the 2024 ICD-10-CM code set:
New codes introduced to subcategories of Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis with pathological fractures, Chronic migraines, neoplasms and tumors, intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, retinopathy, and more new codes to precisely capture external causes (E.g., W44 series to indicate foreign body entering into or through a natural orifice). These conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent, and the new codes will allow healthcare organizations to accurately bill for the services they provide to patients with these conditions. For example, the new code for Parkinson's disease includes a subcategory for patients with and without Dyskinesia.
A good number of Z codes are added to represent the Caregiver’s other noncompliance with the patient’s medication regimen, renal dialysis, and other medical treatments. E.g., Z91.A41 (Caregiver’s other noncompliance with patient’s medication regimen due to financial hardship)
Additional new codes are in place to represent child-guardian relationships. E.g., Z62.23 (Child in custody of non-parental relative)
Examples of revised ICD-10-CM codes include I71.51, I71.52, I71.61, and I71.62, indicating supra-celiac and Paravisceral aneurysms of the abdominal aorta with rupture/without rupture. The term abdominal aorta is now revised to state thoracoabdominal aorta specifically. These revisions will help to ensure that healthcare organizations are billing for the most specific anatomical site of the aneurysm.
Impact of the Changes on the Revenue Cycle
The 2024 ICD-10-CM code set changes will significantly impact the revenue cycle for healthcare organizations. The new and revised codes will assist in capturing the patient’s health conditions precisely, thereby ensuring meeting the medical necessity of services rendered, which is critical to improving first-pass ratios of claims and avoiding denials.
How to Prepare for the Changes
Healthcare organizations should carefully review the 2024 ICD-10-CM code set changes and develop a plan to address the impact on their revenue cycle. The following are some of the steps that healthcare organizations can take to prepare for the changes:
Review coding practices. Healthcare organizations should review their coding practices to ensure accuracy and compliance with the new code set. This may involve training staff on the latest codes and updating coding software.
Communicate with patients and payers. Healthcare organizations should communicate the changes to the ICD-10-CM code set to payers. This will help ensure that Payers know the changes and can process claims correctly.
Monitor the impact of the changes. Healthcare organizations should monitor the effect of the changes on their revenue cycle. This will identify potential problems early on and take corrective action. Setting up front-end system rules/edits can help filter any red flags that can be corrected pre-bill.
By taking these steps, healthcare organizations can transition smoothly into the 2024 ICD-10-CM code set changes on their revenue cycle. Access Healthcare’s comprehensive medical coding services ensure that your organization stays compliant with changing guidelines, improves accuracy, reduces denials, and accelerates cash flow. Talk to us to learn more about our medical coding services.