For Medical Coding, the ICD-10-CM codes system uses a format of three to seven characters. The seventh character refers to a sequence or letters that identify a particular circumstance related to diagnosis or treatment. ICD-10 codes can be composed of up to seven characters depending on the severity of the condition. The more characters you have, the more precise the diagnosis. The first character is made up of Alpha characters, while the second through seventh characters are numerical. Three-character categories can be used as codes. These codes are more precise and can be used to provide greater detail. In 1993, the World Health Organization adopted the ICD-10 codes. It is more precise than ICD-9 codes. It also reflects important advances in medicine and science. ICD-9 codes can still be used.
What are ICD-10 codes and how do they work?
ICD-10 codes are a standard tool for health care professionals. You need to be able to correctly use them when you work in the best medical billing and coding services . The wrong codes could result in insurance companies rejecting your claims. ICD-10 codes are vital for the medical industry. Mistakes can result in denial of claims. Each code has a specific meaning. It is important to reference the codes when looking at medical records. You should investigate any code that is not the same as yours.
The AAPC updates ICD-10 codes every year
Each year, the ICD-10 Code System is updated with new codes, revisions, and deletions. The ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee reviews these revisions. The ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee reviews the revisions and recommends changes to the Department of Health and Human Services. The National Center for Health Statistics is the lead agency for ICD-10 CM, while the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are responsible for ICD-10 PCS. Each year, the AAPC updates ICD-10 code codes to reflect changes in medical diagnosis.
There are many codes and diagnoses that have been affected by the 2023 ICD-10 changes. These codes include new codes to treat heart disease, dementia, and injuries caused by motor vehicle collisions. There are also new guidelines for pregnancy . The AAPC has added over 1,400 new diagnosis codes in 2023. They also revised 35 code descriptors, and converted 36 codes into parent codes. 251 codes were deleted. These changes took effect on October 1, 2022.
These are just a few examples of the changes that have occurred over the years.
Figure a 2023 code change
Social Determinants of Health
Social determinants are factors that have an impact on an individual's mental and physical health. They can impact the way someone receives healthcare and the time doctors spend to ensure patients receive the best possible care. Based on the patient's self-reported information, these Medical Codes will be assigned to them. Before assigning a code, providers must agree to the information. These codes should be included in the patient's health record. These changes can present some challenges and providers need to be aware of these issues before making any changes. The Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Pay System has the new Social determinants Of Health 2023. These changes require hospitals reporting their SDOH screenings.
New Dementia Codes
New dementia-related diagnoses, brain disease and injury. The new ICD-10 Medical Codes are organized by severity and etiology. These codes are not meant to replace the ICD-9-CM codes. They are however intended to be more precise. The new code F0150 is used to diagnose vascular dementia with no behavioral disturbance. Code F0280 is used for unspecified forms of dementia. F0390 is used for non-vascular. Code I20.2 refers to a condition where the disease has not responded medically.
These are just a few of the many changes that have occurred:
F01.A3 Vascular dementia mild with mood disturbance
F01.A4 Vascular dementia mild with anxiety
F01.B Vascular dementia, moderate
F01.B0 Vascular disease, moderate, with no behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance or mood disturbance, and an anxiety
F03.911 Unspecified dementia of unspecified severity with agitation
F03.918 Unspecified dementia with unspecified severity.
Endometriosis, Maternal Care
Updates were made to Maternal Care and Endometriosis to better reflect the respective conditions. ICD-10-CM now has 168 new codes for endometriosis. These codes provide information about anatomic depths and laterality.
These are just a few of the codes you will need:
N80.00 Endometriosis, unspecified
N80.01 Uterus endometriosis superficial
N80.02 Endometriosis deep in the uterus
N80.03 Adenomyosis in the uterus
N80.10 Endometriosis in the ovary, unspecified depth
N80.11 Obstructive endometriosis in the ovary
N80.129 Deepening endometriosis in the ovary, unspecified
N80.20 Endometriosis in fallopian tube. Unspecified depth
Pregnancy Code Changes
Revisions have been made to the ICD-10 code for pregnancy . These changes are focused on fetal conditions, and include 200 new codes. These codes are more complete and accurately reflect the medical condition of the fetus. Several other chapters have also seen significant changes.
O35.03x5 Maternal care to (suspected central nervous system malformations or damage in the fetus, Choroid plexus cysts and fetus 5
O35.04x0 Maternal care in the event of central nervous system malformations or damage to the fetus. Encephalocele is not available or unspecified.
O35.05x2 Maternal care in the event of central nervous system malformations or damage, holoprosencephaly, or fetus 2
O35.06x1 Maternal care (suspected central nervous system malformations or damage in the fetus), hydrocephalus, and fetus 1
Slipped Capital Femoral Codes (SCFE)
Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (also known as SCFE) is a common hip disorder that affects adolescents and prepubescents. This disorder occurs when the femoral head moves out of alignment with other bones, sometimes without apparent cause. There are a variety of revised and new codes in the 2023 ICD10 codes for sprained capital femoral epiphysis. The expanded M93.0-code sets have more options for five- and six-characters, and offer greater scope for epiphysis. A new M code category has been added to address rib and sternum fractures that are associated with chest compression or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Motor Vehicle Collisions: New Codes to Protect Injuries
ICD-10 has updated several Medical Codes to reflect motor vehicle collision injuries. These codes are based on ICD-10 codes that address external injuries. These codes include detailed descriptions of conditions. Tables 6A and 6C contain the guidelines for new codes.
New codes for electrical bike accidents
E-bike accident codes are the same as traditional bike accidents. However, the ICD-10 system uses the letter V to indicate external causes. The ICD-10 code identifies the injured person and the corresponding circumstances. The final decimal code specifies what type of injury.
These codes have been updated to include information on a range of topics, including injuries from e-bikes. There are new codes for poisoning, catching between stationary and moving objects, and e-biker and passenger injuries. The new chapter also contains codes for violations of safety regulations.
Codes for injury to a bicycle (assisted) V20-V29
Other changes
Other changes include additional codes for the nervous system, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal/connective tissue chapters. A few chapters will also see changes in coding related to factors that influence health status.
ICD-10 Code Series
2023 Change
C84.4 Revised T-Cell Lymphoma codes
B37 New codes to treat Candidiasis (vulvar and vaginal)
D59.3 Additional codes for Hemolytic Uremia Syndrome
D68.0 Extension of Von Willebrand disease codes
E34.3 New codes describing short stature
E87.2 Additional new acidosis codes
F10.9 The new codes for alcohol, opioids and cannabis use
G71.03 codes added to describe Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy
Category expansion for Atherosclerosis 125
M62.5A Brand new codes for muscle wasting in the back
M93.0 Additional codes describing slipped upper femoral epiphysis
P28 New codes to treat newborn sleep disorders
791.1 Non-compliance by patient with provider's orders
S06.0XAA, concussion causing loss of consciousness, initial encounter
S06.0XAD, concussion causing loss of consciousness, subsequent encounter
S06.0XAS: concussion with loss consciousness status unknown, sequela
All ICD10 Medical Coding Changes went into effect on October 1, 2022. This is a great idea for current Medical Coders as well as those who are working towards certification to study and research the 2023 ICD10 updates. There are many changes, and this blog will only cover a few. It might take some time to get used to it. Do not get discouraged. You must plan ahead and ensure that you are well-trained. Visit here for medical billing services and coding.

Author's Bio: 

This is Thea Sinclair. I have a B.S in Human Services from Virginia Tech. I have worked in the medical billing and coding field for over 6 years. I have worked in a wide variety of medical specialties including: E/M, Physical Therapy, Mental Health, Acupuncture, Outpatient Professional, Inpatient Professional, Nursing Home Professional, Radiology, and Wound Care. I have worked in both a provider’s office and for medical billing services. My certification is still current and I am a member of the AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders).