ICD-10: Ready for Pokémon Go

Pursuing the objective to “catch ’em all” has not only resulted in captured Pokémon, but capturing battle scars and medical bills too. If you are familiar with the Pokémon Go epidemic you may have heard the stories about resulting injuries such as people falling into ditches, fracturing bones and more.

While there aren’t ICD-10 codes specific for Pokémon related incidents caused by capturing a Pikachu or Jigglypuff, there are ICD-10 codes from related injuries that our specialty-specific electronic health record (EHR) system, EMA would be able to automatically code. The next time a patient comes in for an injury that was a result of snagging the closest Pokémon, EMA will be ready.

Here are ten of the top Pokémon Go related injuries and their corresponding ICD-10 codes that EMA will help you to accurately document, code and bill.

10.) S02.2XXB: Fracture of Nasal Bones, Initial Encounter
As you were busy running around the house and inching your way closer to the nearest Pikachu, you forgot to open the sliding glass door to your patio and…crash. Broken nose and no Pokémon captured. The only thing captured was your face print on the recently cleaned glass doors and bill from your ENT doctor. Light posts and walls are increasingly popping up out of nowhere too.

9.) G56.00: Carpal tunnel syndrome, unspecified upper limb
All that swiping, tapping and tossing pokeballs has resulted in some aches and pains in your upper limbs. You can thank the mass amount of Pokémon that you spotted at a pokestop near your house. And you will soon have to thank your rheumatologist for helping you diagnose the Pokémon pains.

8.) W56.32: Struck by Other Marine Mammals
It can happen to all of us. You’re at the beach, lake or at Everglades this summer and you walk straight into a body of water with marine mammals and you come to find out that the cute, little animal isn’t so friendly after all. You can say goodbye to your smart phone, captured Pokémon and high-score too.

7.) E86.0: Dehydration
Time can really fly by when you’re wandering around outside for hours at a time on the hunt. Living in South Florida with daily temperatures in the 90s, these Pokémon may be the reason you are feeling faint.

6.) L55.0: Sunburn of the first degree
Wandering the streets for Pokémon is a great way to get your dose of Vitamin D (and some extra Fitbit steps too), but as your time in the sun increases, all the harmful UV rays can cause some serious skin damage if you’re not wearing sun-protective clothing or sunscreen. Looks like it may be time to schedule that annual skin check-up at the dermatologist a little earlier than usual this year.

5.) S06.0X0: Concussion without loss of consciousness
Maybe you spot a Pokémon underneath a palm tree with a falling coconut. Perhaps you walk under a window as someone is tossing out a piano. Or maybe you inadvertently walk on the football practice field as you aimlessly wander around a college campus to capture a Charizard. Helmet anyone?

4.) T75.01: Shock due to being struck by lightning
If you live in the lightning capital of the United States, a.k.a. Florida, afternoon thunderstorms and frequent lightning strikes are a familiar occurrence. You decide that you have to wander out into the mini-hurricane so you can beat your co-workers and capture a rare Pokémon even if it costs you a possible electric shock and trip to the ER due to a lightning strike.

3.) H53.149: Visual discomfort
As if we don’t stare at our laptop, tablet and smartphone screens enough, we predict that ophthalmology practices will be extra busy and pointing their fingers at Pokémon Go for the increasing eye pain and fatigue from patients.

2.) V10.0XXA: Pedal cycle driver injured in collision with pedestrian
Cyclists beware. While you’re pedaling along it’s imperative to pay attention to your immediate surroundings. Typically you have to watch for cars, but now there’s a new obstacle out there: people running rampant to catch Pokémon. Proceed with caution especially if you have heard that there is a Pokéstop near by.

1.) Z63.1: Problems in relationship with in-laws
Playing Pokémon Go when you’re out to dinner or on vacation with the in-laws is a sure-fire way to drum up some family drama and concerns about how you are spending your time. Proceed with caution and save the Pokémon catching for your free time.

With ICD-10 built into EMA, our specialty-specific EHR system, we were already well-prepared for an onslaught of injuries caused by Pokémon Go.

Want to learn more about how EMA codes for ICD-10? EMA is born ready with structured data that correctly generates ICD-10 codes right along with your exam notes and populates them onto the superbill. And tune in to our YouTube video to learn more.