ICD-9 Update – October 1, 2011

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have published the 2012 ICD-9-CM Guidelines that become effective on October 1, 2011. Significant changes exist for proper coding and sequencing of the different types and stages of glaucoma.

Changes to the glaucoma codes include the addition of stages of glaucoma (mild, moderate, or severe). This approach is similar to other ocular disease code choices (e.g., diabetic eye disease). These new codes are added to the primary diagnosis. In addition, some existing codes were revised to add a level of risk, and some new codes were created that include level of risk.

These guidelines and new codes can be accessed from the CMS website, which will redirect you to the CDC website: http://www.cms.gov/ICD9ProviderDiagnosticCodes/.