ICD Diagnostic Coding
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) recently released ICD-11, a new version of the International Classification of Diseases, is used worldwide to capture information about all diseases and health conditions, not just mental health. The ICD-10-CM (10th Revision — Clinical Modification), a modification for use in the United States, is still the required code set for billing purposes as of Oct. 1, 2015.
The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is widely used for training and diagnostic purposes across mental health professions in the U.S., and contains ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes as well as diagnostic criteria.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates the ICD codes every year and changes go into effect on Oct. 1. While the APA does its best to highlight code changes that are most relevant for psychological use, mental health providers are encouraged annually to download the full set of codes once available in September at www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm. Most changes relate to increased specification (the digits following the decimal point), which allows for more accurate diagnostic recording, is of interest to third party payers, and is important for psychologists to include in order to receive reimbursement.
Changes made to the codes effective Oct. 1, 2017.
ICD-10-CM Crosswalk
Since Oct. 1, 2015, psychologists and other health care professionals have been required to use the ICD-10-CM for diagnostic coding and billing purposes. The following information provides practical information on the ICD-10-CM and an easy-to-use crosswalk of ICD-9-CM codes to ICD-10-CM codes.