covert icd 9 code for 438.21 to icd 10

by Alicia Raynor V 9 min read

ICD-9-CM 438.20 converts approximately to: 2022 ICD-10-CM I69. 959 Hemiplegia and hemiparesis following unspecified cerebrovascular disease affecting unspecified side.

Full Answer

How do I convert from ICD 9 to ICD 10?

ICD-9 → ICD-10. Convert any valid ICD-9 Diagnosis or Procedure code to ICD-10 (CM or PCS). The conversion is based on current code mappings in the General Equivalence Mappings from the CMS. Care should be taken when converting legacy ICD-9 codes to ICD-10, as most DO NOT have equivalent mappings.

How do I convert legacy ICD-9 codes to ICD 10?

Convert legacy ICD-9 codes to ICD-10 codes using the 2018 General Equivalence Mappings GEM . Care should be taken when converting legacy ICD-9 codes to ICD-10, as most DO NOT have equivalent mappings.

Does the ICD-10 mandate apply to all providers?

The ICD-10 mandate applies to all parties covered by HIPAA, not just providers who bill Medicare or Medicaid.

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When did ICD-9 convert to ICD-10?

Effective October 1, 2015, CMS data requires the use of ICD-10 codes for all diagnoses. ICD-10 code sets are not just an update of the ICD-9 code sets but rather fundamentally change the structure and concepts of the codes.

How is ICD-10 better than ICD-9?

The ICD-10 code sets include greater detail, changes in terminology, and expanded concepts for injuries, laterality, and other related factors. The complexity of ICD-10 provides many benefits because of the increased level of detail conveyed in the codes.

Are ICD-9 codes still used?

Currently, the U.S. is the only industrialized nation still utilizing ICD-9-CM codes for morbidity data, though we have already transitioned to ICD-10 for mortality.

What is an unspecified ICD-10 code?

An “unspecified” code means that the condition is unknown at the time of coding. An “unspecified” diagnosis may be coded more specifically later, if more information is obtained about the patient's condition.

Why did ICD-9 change to ICD-10?

ICD-9 follows an outdated 1970's medical coding system which fails to capture detailed health care data and is inconsistent with current medical practice. By transitioning to ICD-10, providers will have: Improved operational processes by classifying detail within codes to accurately process payments and reimbursements.

What is the major difference between ICD-9 and ICD-10?

ICD-10 emphasis on modern technology devices being used for various procedures, while ICD-9 codes are unable to reflect the use of modern day equipment. Hence, the basic structural difference is that ICD-9 is a 3-5 character numeric code while the ICD-10 is a 3-7 character alphanumeric code.

Did ICD-10 replace ICD-9?

Objective-On October 1, 2015, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) replaced ICD-9-CM (Ninth Revision) as the diagnosis coding scheme for the U.S. health care system.

Is it possible that ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes will be used simultaneously?

However, most ICD-9-CM codes are still matched with multiple terms in ICD-10-CM, and there is still room for double billing during the period when the two systems will be activated simultaneously.

Are ICD-9 codes still used in 2021?

CMS will continue to maintain the ICD-9 code website with the posted files. These are the codes providers (physicians, hospitals, etc.) and suppliers must use when submitting claims to Medicare for payment.

What is the difference between uncertain behavior and unspecified?

uncertain behavior is a dx that is rendered by the pathologist when the cellular activity observed is uncertain at to its morphology. Unspecified is sometimes called a working dx, and is used when a preliminary diagnostic workup is inconclusive, most commonly used when the decision comes back as a tumor.

What are the steps to look up a code in the ICD-10-CM?

A Five-Step ProcessStep 1: Search the Alphabetical Index for a diagnostic term. ... Step 2: Check the Tabular List. ... Step 3: Read the code's instructions. ... Step 4: If it is an injury or trauma, add a seventh character. ... Step 5: If glaucoma, you may need to add a seventh character.

What is the problem with coding everything unspecified?

In addition to corrupting the reliability and validity of the data, the use of unspecified codes could lead to claim denials. With such implications weighing over their heads, many people have become fearful of unspecified codes.

ICD-10 Equivalent of 438.21

As of October 2015, ICD-9 codes are no longer used for medical coding. Instead, use the following two equivalent ICD-10-CM codes, which are an approximate match to ICD-9 code 438.21:

Historical Information for ICD-9 Code 438.21

Billable codes are sufficient justification for admission to an acute care hospital when used a principal diagnosis.

Not Valid for Submission

438.21 is a legacy non-billable code used to specify a medical diagnosis of late effects of cerebrovascular disease, hemiplegia affecting dominant side. This code was replaced on September 30, 2015 by its ICD-10 equivalent.

Convert 438.21 to ICD-10

The following crosswalk between ICD-9 to ICD-10 is based based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMS) information:

Information for Medical Professionals

References found for the code 438.21 in the Index of Diseases and Injuries:

ICD-9 Footnotes

General Equivalence Map Definitions The ICD-9 and ICD-10 GEMs are used to facilitate linking between the diagnosis codes in ICD-9-CM and the new ICD-10-CM code set. The GEMs are the raw material from which providers, health information vendors and payers can derive specific applied mappings to meet their needs.

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