Each month, AmeriHealth will feature an example of how ICD-9 codes will translate to ICD-10 codes. We will present coding examples from different specialties and popular disease categories to demonstrate the granularity that the new ICD-10 code set will provide.

CODING CONVENTION: CLINICAL TERMINOLOGY CHANGES IN ICD-10

These coding examples will demonstrate the new clinical terminology changes conveyed in ICD-10. These changes reflect standardization of the terms that are used today. Several terminologies used in ICD-9 have been changed in ICD-10. Some of the names and definitions of disorders have been updated in ICD-10 to reflect more current clinical terminology and standardization of the terms used to diagnose certain conditions and disorders. These changes reflect standardized terminology that clinicians and health care personnel use today for patient care and data reporting. Although not completely eliminated, commonly used terms such as ?senile?, are no longer used for certain conditions. Another differentiation involves acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This condition not only includes updated terminology, it also has notable definition changes in ICD-10.

ICD-9                                       
                               ICD-10

Senile------------------------------------------------> Age-related Intermediate coronary syndrome ------------>Unstable angina Acute myocardial infarction -------------------->ST elevation (STEMI) or non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction ICD-9: Clinical terminology ICD-10: Clinical terminology Senile cataract Age-related cataract 366.10 Unspecified senile cataract H25.9 Unspecified age-related cataract Intermediate coronary syndrome Unstable angina 411.1 Intermediate coronary syndrome I20.0 Unstable angina Acute myocardial infarction* ST elevation (STEMI) or non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction 410.02 Acute myocardial infarction of anterolateral wall, subsequent episode of care I21.09 ST elevation (STEMI) myocardial infarction involving other coronary artery of anterior wall 410.70 Acute myocardial infarction, subendocardial infarction, episode of care unspecified I21.4 Non-ST elevation (NSTEMI) myocardial infarction

*In ICD-9-CM, the initial time frame for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treatment is within eight weeks of onset. In ICD-10-CM, the initial time frame for acute treatment is within four weeks of onset.

A complete list of all ICD-10 coding examples featured to date can be found here: ICD-10 Spotlight: Know the codes booklet. For additional information related to the AmeriHealth transition to ICD-10, please visit the ICD-10 section of our website.