The fiscal year 2022 ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes officially released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) became effective for encounters on or after Oct. 1, 2021. This year included key updates for rheumatology practices with the expansion of the Sjögren syndrome codes. Seven new codes were added to describe inflammatory arthritis, peripheral nervous system, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, glomerular disease, vasculitis and dental involvement (M35.05-M35.0C).
Providers and coders will see a change in the titles of subcategory M35.0 and codes M35.00-M35.03, as they were revised from “Sicca syndrome” to “Sjögren syndrome.” Additionally, M35.07 (Sjögren syndrome with central nervous system involvement) is now classified under the new designation of complication and co-morbidity (CC).
Of note, nine codes are being added to cover non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis by site (M45.A1-M45.AB) and expansion of low back pain into codes M54.50 (unspecified) and M54.41 (vertebrogenic low back pain).
For questions on correct coding and billing guidelines, contact the ACR practice management coding team at [email protected]
