In our continuing series aimed at assisting readers with the transition to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM), this article will discuss documentation elements that support ICD-10-CM code selection for sinusitis.
As with many conditions, sinusitis was frequently reported with nonspecific codes when reported with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). Code 473.9, unspecified chronic sinusitis, ranked eighth in the American Academy of Pediatrics analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for the years 2008 through 2010.
ICD-10-CM codes for sinusitis are not significantly different from ICD-9-CM in that each code set provides for specificity for the condition in acute (J01.-) or chronic (J32.-) occurrence and the involved sinus (eg, maxillary). One change in ICD-10-CM is the ability to capture recurrence of acute sinusitis. This presents an opportunity to better characterize the nature of the patient presentation and the medical necessity of...
