Are there any new ICD-9 diagnosis codes pertinent to ophthalmology?
Octobers update of ICD-9 codes contained a series of new diagnosis codes to describe diabetic ocular disease. Published in the May 4, 2005 Federal Register, these new codes took effect on October 1, 2005. New codes pertinent to ophthalmology are: 362.03 nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy NOS; 362.04 mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy; 362.05 moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy; 362.06 severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy; and 362.07 diabetic macular edema. Stratifying the severity of nonproliferative DR with these new codes should improve the quality of claims processing, enhance the precision of the medical record and aid in the governments ability to monitor disease regression and progression. Q: Will there be any new HCPCS codes associated with drugs or supplies? A: We expect to see an HCPCS code (L8609) published for AlphaCor, a keratoprosthesis made of a biocompatible, flexible, hydrogel material (PHEMA) similar to a soft contact len
