Dear Patient,
It’s almost October and you know what means! Yes – apple picking, harvest wreaths, Halloween, and pumpkin flavored everything! But it also means it’s time for the new updated ICD-10 codes which go into effect as of October 1st.
This year, there are not too many changes for us. With Covid still a big part of our lives, of course the Covid codes will continue on as we may be seeing more and more people with Covid related illnesses, unfortunately.
Here are some of the other codes that you may find helpful to use as Oct 1st:
- L24.A1 Irritant contact dermatitis due to saliva
- M35.05 Sjogren syndrome with inflammatory arthritis
- M35.06 Sjogren syndrome with peripheral nervous system involvement
- M35.0C Sjogren syndrome with dental involvement
- U09.9 Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified
Also be sure to check out the T40.71 series of codes related to cannabis (use).
The early fall is also a good time to analyze the insurance plans you currently participate with and make sure it still makes good business sense to continue the business relationship. Earlier this year Cigna decreased many of their fee schedules. If the reimbursement your office received was decreased, what was the overall financial impact of the new fee schedule? When you go through this process, make sure your decisions are based on facts and not emotions. Run the insurance analysis reports from your system, determine the number of patients in your practice with that insurance, and determine the overall revenue received this year. What were the total write-offs as compared to the revenue?
This process will take some time, so start now in order to make decisions and be ready to begin the new year of 2022 exactly where you want to be in relation to insurance participation.
Until next time…Keep Calm and Code On!
TERRI
