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ALERT: 2010 ICD-9-CM/CPT Code Changes

  |  Issue: February 2010  |  

As of January 1, physicians can no longer bill the inpatient/outpatient consultation evaluation and management (E/M) codes for Medicare patients. E/M codes for new or established patients should be used as appropriate.

Also, gout codes changed from one ICD-9 code to four codes. This went into effect on October 1, 2009. It is important to add a fifth digit to gout diagnoses in order to be reimbursed.

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The gout codes are:

2009 ICD9 Code

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  • 274.0 Gouty arthropathy

2010 ICD9 Codes (this diagnosis now requires a fifth digit)

  • 274.00 Gouty arthropathy, unspecified
  • 274.01 Acute gouty arthropathy
    • Acute gout
    • Gout attack
    • Gout flare
    • Podagra
  • 274.02 Chronic gouty arthropathy without mention of tophus (tophi)
    • Chronic gout
  • 274.03 Chronic gouty arthropathy with tophus (tophi)
    • Chronic tophaceous gout
    • Gout with tophi not otherwise specified (NOS)

If you require additional information or assistance with coding or changes for 2010, call the ACR’s coding and reimbursement department at (404) 633-3777 or visit www.rheumatology.org, and click on Practice Support.

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