5 Chronic Illnesses that were impacted by ICD-10

5 Chronic Illnesses that were impacted by ICD-10

Introduction:

ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) was implemented as the new diagnostic coding standard in October 2015 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This updated version replaced the old version, ICD-9, and brought many changes in the way medical conditions were diagnosed and treated. This article will discuss how five chronic illnesses were impacted by the new coding standard.

Asthma:

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of individuals and requires ongoing care. The implementation of ICD-10 allows for greater specificity in coding for asthma, such as identifying the severity of the condition and whether it is exacerbation or remission. This allows healthcare professionals to better track and understand the health outcomes of asthma patients and make informed treatment decisions.

Diabetes:

Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects the way the body processes blood sugar. It requires continuous monitoring and management, which can now be done more accurately with ICD-10. The new coding standard allows for better identification of the type of diabetes, whether it is Type 1, Type 2, or gestational diabetes, which can impact treatment plans and outcomes. Additionally, ICD-10 also includes codes that allow for better tracking of diabetic complications such as kidney disease, neuropathy, and retinopathy.

Heart Disease:

Heart disease is a broad term that encompasses many different conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and heart failure. ICD-10 provides greater specificity in coding for these conditions, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plans. For example, a heart attack is now coded based on location, severity, and whether there was a subsequent episode.

Cancer:

Cancer is a complex set of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth in any part of the body. The implementation of ICD-10 has expanded the coding options for various types of cancer, including specific codes for the stage of the disease, the spread of cancer, and the type of treatment given. This information is useful for healthcare professionals to develop personalized treatment plans and monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

Depression:

Depression is a chronic mental illness that affects an individual’s mood, behavior, and thoughts. ICD-10 allows for the identification and coding of different types of depression, including major depressive disorder, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder. This can improve the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment plans for individuals suffering from depression.

Conclusion:

ICD-10 has played a crucial role in improving the accuracy and specificity of medical diagnosis and treatment. In this article, we have explored how the new coding standard has impacted five chronic illnesses – asthma, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and depression. The increased specificity in coding has allowed for better tracking of medical conditions, identification of complications, and personalized treatment plans. With ICD-10, healthcare professionals have the tools needed to improve patient outcomes and provide better care.

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