Here’s a Quick Reference Guide for ICD-10 Ophthalmology Codes, Plus an Easier, Faster Way to Find Codes in the Future

This post was originally published on October 15, 2018 and updated on October 9, 2019. 

There’s no way you can memorize all 72,000+ ICD-10 codes, so it seems easy enough to look the right one up on the Internet when you’re unsure. But the truth is, searching for ophthalmology ICD-10 codes manually can cost you valuable time and even add unnecessary risk, since search engines have no way to know what you’ve actually documented.

If you’re in need of some coding help right now or want to learn about the new ICD-10 codes for 2020 in ophthalmology, we’ve included a list of ICD-10 codes for ophthalmology for you to reference. But in the long run, there’s a better way to find codes than using lists or code lookups: using an ophthalmology EHR system that populates suggested codes automatically and provides helpful guidance based on your documentation.

Use the list below to navigate to the section of the post you’re most interested in.

1. New ICD-10 Codes for 2020: Ophthalmology
2. Ophthalmology Coding InfoSheet 2019: 50 Common Codes
3. The Better Way to Find ICD-10 Codes for Ophthalmology
4. Conclusion

To jump past the code lists and get straight to how the automated coding suggestions work, click here.

New ICD-10 Codes for 2020: Ophthalmology

With the new ICD-10 updates that went into effect on October 1, 2019, we wanted to examine a few specific ICD-10 ophthalmology code changes from 2019 to 2020.

“Many of the 2020 ICD-10-CM updates are focused around additions related to orbital fractures. It’s all about increased specificity. Previously, there were no codes to specify the three walls of the orbit, but now with the 2020 ICD-10 code additions, there’s more clarity in documentation,” shared Dr. Michael Rivers, Director EMA® Ophthalmology.

Eye wall fractures

There are 60 new acute fracture codes for closed and open fractures of the orbital wall surrounding the eye, specific to laterality and position around the eye.

Example: New code S02.831B will report fracture of the medial orbital wall right side, initial encounter for open fracture.

New Z Codes

Z01.020 = Encounter for examination of eyes and vision following failed vision screening without abnormal findings.

Z01.021 = Encounter for examination of eyes and vision following failed vision screening with abnormal findings. Additional New ICD-10 Codes for 2020 Ophthalmology

Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service, CMS.gov 2020 ICD-10-CM listing

Ophthalmology Coding Info Sheet 2019: 50 Common Codes

Here’s a list of ICD-10 codes for ophthalmology in 2019, starting with some of the most commonly used:

The Better Way to Find Ophthalmology ICD-10 Codes

Over time, the minutes you spend each time you need to scroll through lists of ICD-10 codes for ophthalmology can add up to hours that you could be spending with patients. And with all the data points involved in narrowing down specific codes and supporting your documentation, it can be easy to miss something if your coding process is manual or relies on codebooks, lookups or translation tools. This can sometimes lead to inaccurate coding and claim denials.

That’s why we built our ophthalmology EMR system, EMA, to make finding ICD-10 codes for ophthalmology easier. So easy, in fact, that you may not have to search for codes at all.

How does it work? Programmed by our on-staff practicing physicians, EMA contains a built-in list of ICD-10 codes for ophthalmology, as well as chief complaints, plans and procedures.

Using this comprehensive built-in knowledge, along with structured data technology, EMA is able to actually understand and leverage what you’re documenting for each patient. This allows EMA to automatically generate suggested ICD-10, E&M, CPT, modifier and codes in real time as you document, populating them on your ICD-10 ophthalmology superbill and encounter form for you to review and correct, as you determine is appropriate.

Although EMA takes the initial work out of searching for the correct code, its suggestions are a starting point, and you are always able to make changes before your final bill is submitted.  If you believe the visit warrants a different code than the one suggested by the system, you can override the suggested code at any time you wish. And when CMS releases its annual list of new ICD-10 codes for ophthalmology, EMA is updated accordingly. To save even more time, EMA actually remembers your most common diagnoses and treatments.

In addition to auto-generating suggested ophthalmology ICD-10 codes, EMA enables you to:

• Automatically map diagnoses to a specific anatomical location by tapping on 3D eye diagrams in EMA’s Interactive Anatomical Atlas
• Compare E&M codes to eye codes to help make sure they match
• Benchmark your E&M and eye code utilization against other providers in your practice and against CMS Medicare Part B utilization data

EMA Makes it Easy to Capture the Data Points Needed for Ophthalmology ICD-10 Coding

EMA provides a variety of tools to help guide you to the right level of ICD-10 ophthalmology code specificity and meet documentation requirements.

When additional information is needed, the ICD-10 Expert box pops up to alert you. For instance, if you’ve diagnosed the patient with diabetic macular edema but only specified severity OD, it will prompt you to select severity OS and type of diabetes from a dropdown menu. Or if you’re documenting macular degeneration or primary open-angle glaucoma, it will prompt you to select staging if you haven’t already.

For some diagnoses, you’re required to enter an additional ICD-10 ophthalmology code to give context to how the original diagnosis occurred, or to give greater specificity for the cause of the condition or injury. In these cases, EMA will highlight the Associated Dx button, which you can tap on to easily select the appropriate associated diagnosis or cause code. EMA will also let you know which of those additional diagnoses require additional codes or must appear first according to the ICD-10 ophthalmology coding rules.

Diagnoses that may require this additional information include:

• Primary open-angle glaucoma
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Blepharitis
• Corneal foreign body
• Age-related cataract
• Diabetes
• Trauma-induced cataract

If additional information isn’t available or you don’t feel it’s pertinent, you have the option not to add any.

For commercial insurances, if a code is missing required specifications, EMA will highlight it in yellow or red on the preliminary encounter form to alert you that this claim is at risk for denial. This can be a helpful reminder to go back and add specifics such as location and stage if you missed them earlier.

Conclusion

It’s easy to see how EMA’s powerful ophthalmology ICD-10 coding assistance functionality can help make your workflow smoother and ease your mind when it comes to the risk of claim denials. Not only is it faster than using search engines and scrolling through lists, but also it provides powerful tools to help you code more mindfully and stay in line with ICD-10 ophthalmology coding rules.

Is it worth considering an ophthalmology EMR system switch just to simplify your coding process? If you ask many ophthalmologists who have made the switch to EMA, the answer is a resounding yes.

But if you’re not completely sure, take a moment to consider the other facets of your ophthalmology EHR. Is it easy to use and ophthalmology specific? Does it simplify MIPS participation and support interoperability with other systems? Is it reasonably priced? Do you get outstanding support from an award-winning team?

You may find that inefficient ICD-10 coding is just one of many signs it’s time to switch your ophthalmology software. The good news is, switching can be a lot easier than you think.

So if you’re curious to see all the ways EMA can help you chart and code faster while delivering your best care, get in touch with our team today—we’d love to get you started.

Source

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 2019 ICD-10-CM. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/2019-ICD-10-CM.html. Published June 20, 2019. Accessed October 9, 2019.

2019: Ophthalmology ICD-10 Codes

A Quick Reference Guide for ICD-10 Updates

*Please note, the information below relates to 2019 ICD-10 coding updates. 

With the new ICD-10 updates that went into effect on October 1, 2018, we wanted to examine a few specific ophthalmology code changes from 2018 to 2019.

“The 2019 ICD-10-CM updates primarily affect oculoplastic specialists. The improved documentation of diseases of the lids and face are much more specific. For example, treating a patient with Paralytic Lagophthalmos can be documented more specifically,” shared Dr. Michael Rivers, Director EMA™ Ophthalmology.

Lagophthalmos

To break down the changes on eyelid specific diagnoses, let’s look at “Paralytic Lagophthalmos.” For 2019, there are three new, additional Lagophthalmos codes used to specify when a patient has the same disease on multiple eyelids.  

Example: Paralytic Lagophthalmos (H02.23)

Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

Blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction diagnoses also have new ICD-10 codes to specify diseases affecting multiple eyelids. Unlike Lagophthalmos, these new eyelid combination codes do not have a code for bilateral eyes with upper and lower eyelids. It only has codes for “right eye, upper and lower lids” and “left eye, upper and lower lids.”

Example: H01.00 Unspecified blepharitis

Additional New 2019 Ophthalmology ICD-10 Codes

“Rosacea Conjunctivitis,” “Brow ptosis” and “Other specified disorders of eye and adnexa” are completely new diagnoses in 2019 ICD-10. They are listed below.

Want more on ICD-10? Visit our “2019 ICD-10 Changes” blog post for additional medical specialties updates and learn how our ophthalmology EHR, EMA, can help your practice.

Source

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 2019 ICD-10-CM. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/2019-ICD-10-CM.html. Published September 18, 2018. Accessed September 26, 2018.