Spina bifida, congenital hydrocephalus map to more definite codes. While you report a communicating, obstructive, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus, or one owing to other acquired deformity of the head when ICD-10 hits, the good news is the choices aren't extensive. Read this article and see how your ICD-9 code selections change when ICD-10 hits. Look to Region for Spina Bifida While you report hydrocephalus that takes place with a spina bifida, you turn to ICD-9 code 741.00 (Spina bifida unspecified region with hydrocephalus). The term ‘unspecified region' stated in the descriptor of 741.00 suggests that the pathological lesion of a bifid spine may be located at any place through the length of the spine. So, you report ICD-9 code 741.00 regardless of the location of the bifid spine while you are reporting a hydrocephalus that takes place with a spina bifida. With better awareness of the influence of folate intake by women during the initial days of pregnancy, the frequency of spina bifida has considerably declined. Even though the code does not state the location of the spinal defect, most take place in the lumbar area. When ICD-10 goes into effect, you will also be required to see if Chiari malformation is documented in the diagnosis that your surgeon makes. Chiari malformation is a situation wherein the cerebellar tonsils are displaced through the foramen magnum (opening in the skull base) to obstruct the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, contributing to the development of hydrocephalus. Below are the four ICD-10 codes that map to ICD-9 code 741.00: - Q05.4 – (Unspecified spina bifida with hydrocephalus)
- Q07.01 – (Arnold-Chiari syndrome with spina bifida)
- Q07.02 – (Arnold-Chiari syndrome with hydrocephalus)
- Q07.03 – (Arnold-Chiari syndrome with spina bifida and hydrocephalus)
Document the Reason for Congenital Hydrocephalus In ICD-9, you report code 742.3 (Congenital hydrocephalus) as far as congenital hydrocephalus is concerned. While reporting the same in ICD-10, you will be required to make sure that your surgeon documents the underlying congenital lesion that lead to the congenital hydrocephalus. A common reason of the congenital hydrocephalus is an obstruction of the aqueduct or foramina through which the cerebrospinal fluid drains. There can be other causes as well. Keep in mind that the ICD-9 742.3 in point of fact expands to four codes in ICD-10. Below are the codes in ICD-10 that you may precisely select, depending upon the site of the obstruction, while reporting congenital hydrocephalus: - Q03.0 - (Malformations of aqueduct of Sylvius)
- Q03.1 – (Atresia of foramina of Magendie and Luschka)
- Q03.8 – (Other congenital hydrocephalus)
Although the treatment for each of these may be similar, the purpose of ICD-10 is to deliver greater diagnostic specificity for facilitating better outcome studies.
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