Panacea Developing News: New ICD-10-CM code for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), April 1, 2020

On March 18, 2020, the CDC announced the decision to implement in the United States use of new emergency temporary ICD-10-CM diagnosis code, U07.1 COVID-19, effective for use April 1, 2020 to facilitate coding of claims during this pandemic. This will mean full addenda updates will need to be finalized by the CDC and the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee. Industry insiders anticipate this update to be available soon. To view the CDC announcement, click on the link below.

Consistent with this WHO update to the ICD-10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (CDC/NCHS) will implement a new diagnosis code into the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) for reporting, effective with the next update, October 1, 2020.  We expect the ICD-10-CM addenda for Chapter 22 to instruct users on coding for respiratory conditions (e.g., pneumonia, Severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS]) and other manifestations in addition to the COVID-19 diagnosis.

We remind hospitals and providers of the CDC interim coding guidance that was released on February 20, 2020, to assist with ICD-10-CM code selection for other conditions, factors and symptoms. However, the new guidance using code U07.1 will override the guidance using B97.29 effective April 1, 2020.  All other guidance in this bulletin remains in effect. We have included with this update link to the CDC interim guidance. Ensure all applicable staff are aware of these coding initiatives.

As everyone knows, the guidance is changing not only daily, but at times hourly.  The information contained in this article is the most current to date at the time of publication.

CDC Announcement New ICD-10-CM Code 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

CDC ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines – Interim Coding Guidelines