The following updates for Covid-19-related codes went into effect Oct. 1, 2021:
NEW:
- U09.9 – Post COVID-19 conditions, unspecified
- This code is not to be used in cases that are still presenting with active COVID-19. However, an exception is made in cases if re-infection with COVID-19, occurring with a condition to prior COVID-19.
- Code first the specific condition related to COVID-19, if known, such as:
- Chronic respiratory failure (J96.1-)
- Loss of smell or taste (R43.8)
- Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (M35.81)
- R05 – Cough
- R05.1 – Acute cough
- R05.2 – Subacute cough
- R05.3 – Chronic cough
- R05.4 – Cough syncope
- R05.8 – Other specified cough
- R05.9 – Cough, unspecified
CONTINUE:
Pre-procedural testing:
• Primary code: Z01.812 – Encounter for pre-procedural laboratory examination.
• Secondary code: Z20.822 – Contact with and (suspected) exposure to other viral communicable diseases
Suspected or actual exposure to Covid-19 – Symptomatic/Asymptomatic:
• Symptomatic Z20.822 – For symptomatic patients with actual exposure or suspected exposure to Covid-19 when the infection has been ruled out or test results are inconclusive or unknown.
o Signs and symptoms should also be used along with Z20.822
• Asymptomatic Z20.822 – For asymptomatic patients with actual exposure or suspected exposure to Covid-19. No additional diagnoses code is needed.
Other new Covid codes:
• J12.82 – Pneumonia due to Covid-19
• M35.81 – Multisystem inflammatory syndrome
• M35.89 – Other specified systemic involvement of connective tissue
• Z86.16 – Personal history of Covid-19
Use of signs and symptoms:
For patients presenting with signs and symptoms, such as fever or cough, assign the appropriate code(s) for either confirmed exposure or suspected exposure use Z20.822 along with a diagnosis code for each of the signs and symptoms that present, such as:
• R05 – Cough (see above)
• R06.02 – Shortness of breath
• R07.0 – Pain throat
• R09.81 – Congestion
• R43.8 – Loss of smell and taste
• R50.9 – Fever
• R68.83 – Chills without fever
• U07.1 should continue to be used for confirmed cases of Covid-19 that will be reported to the CDC. This should only be used if Covid-19 has been confirmed
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