Key Points: AHA’s Coding Clinic First Quarter 2024 Release 

By Nena Scott, PhD, MSEd, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS, CRC

Discover the key code updates in the first quarter release of AHA Coding Clinic shared by Nena Scott, OnPoint’s Director of Compliance and Education. This overview provides a glimpse into the significant changes, but understanding these updates in their entirety is essential to maintaining accuracy. If you have further questions, reach out to us at codingquestions@onpoint-healthcare.com.

Notable changes:

– Coder should assign N41.3 Prostatocytitis and N41.0 Acute prostatitis for a documented diagnosis of acute prostatitis with cystitis – both codes are necessary to capture the acuity of the condition.

– Coder should assign I46.2 Cardiac arrest due to underlying cardiac condition when the patient is receiving continued care for cardiac arrest. This advice is applicable regardless of where the cardiac arrest occurred and/or whether the patient is resuscitated. Please note that the underlying cause of cardiac arrest should be coded first. It is not appropriate to assign Z86.74 Personal history of sudden cardiac arrest, when the condition is current, and the patient is receiving treatment. OCG, Section I.C.21.c.4 states “personal history codes explain a patient’s past medical condition that not longer exists and is not receiving any treatment, but that has the potential for recurrence, and therefore may require continued monitoring.”

– Coder should assign E06.3 Autoimmune thyroiditis, for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. A code for hypothyroidism should not be assigned with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis as it is a component of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

– Coder should assign M06.4 Inflammatory polyarthropathy, for inflammatory polyarthropathy in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis. M06.9 is assigned for rheumatoid arthritis without specificity. Coder should assign Z91.198 Patient’s noncompliance with other medical treatment and regimen for other reason for under dosing of a PRN medication.

Editorial Changes: The April 1 update includes 41 new codes within ICD-10-PCS, six deleted codes, and three code title revisions.

Staying up to date with these changes is crucial for medical coders to maintain accuracy and compliance in their coding practices. We encourage you to stay updated with the latest information and seek additional resources or guidance as needed. If you have any questions, our team is always available to assist you.

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