ALERT: 2010 ICD-9-CM/CPT Code Changes

As of January 1, physicians can no longer bill the inpatient/outpatient consultation evaluation and management (E/M) codes for Medicare patients. E/M codes for new or established patients should be used as appropriate.

Also, gout codes changed from one ICD-9 code to four codes. This went into effect on October 1, 2009. It is important to add a fifth digit to gout diagnoses in order to be reimbursed.

The gout codes are:

2009 ICD9 Code

• 274.0 Gouty arthropathy

2010 ICD9 Codes (this diagnosis now requires a fifth digit)

• 274.00 Gouty arthropathy, unspecified
• 274.01 Acute gouty arthropathy
  • Acute gout
  • Gout attack
  • Gout flare
  • Podagra
• 274.02 Chronic gouty arthropathy without mention of tophus (tophi)
  • Chronic gout
• 274.03 Chronic gouty arthropathy with tophus (tophi)
  • Chronic tophaceous gout
  • Gout with tophi not otherwise specified (NOS)

If you require additional information or assistance with coding or changes for 2010, call the ACR’s coding and reimbursement department at (404) 633-3777 or visit www.rheumatology.org, and click on Practice Support.