ICD-10 Updates Finalized for October 1, 2016

In March, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released proposed ICD-10 changes for October 1, 2016.  The final changes were posted on the CDC website on June 23, 2016.  The changes include 1,974 new codes, 311 deleted codes and 425 revised codes.

The changes affecting ophthalmology include:

• Diabetic eye disease in the E10 and E11 series will include laterality (eye-specific)
• Primary open angle glaucoma, H40 series will include laterality (eye-specific)
• Several updates to the H35 series for AMD with eye specificity and more disease detail
• Updates to CRVO and BRVO codes – H34 series

In addition to code changes, some tabular instructions were revised to provide clarity.  Some Excludes 1 notes were revised to Excludes 2 notes, allowing for conditions excluded by the Excludes 1 note to now be coded together. 

A full list of files effective October 1, 2016 can be found on the CMS website at: 

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Coding/ICD10/2017-ICD-10-CM-and-GEMs.html