How many codes … ?

ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS codes updated for services provided on October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021

ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS Coding 2014 – 2021

Each year the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) update the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) to capture and classify world diseases and conditions. In addition, CMS updates the Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) for coding inpatient procedures and services.

The number of diagnosis codes has steadily increased since implementation in 2015.

While no new codes were allowed the first year after implementation, FY 2016, the number of diagnosis codes currently available for use in FY 2021 is 72,616 codes.

The number of Procedure codes (PCS) has steadily increased since implementation in 2015. Like the Diagnosis Code set, (ICD-10-CM), no codes were allowed the first year after implementation, FY 2016.

FY 2018 had the greatest number of new procedure codes added at 3,562. The number of new codes has leveled off in recent years with only 544 new codes added for FY 2021. One reason for the increase in number of PCS codes is the process of identifying a specific procedure or medication with a unique code, regardless of frequency of use. While classifying drugs or procedures for rare disease supports research, the addition of ‘minimally used’ codes burdens the system and deviates from the original classification.

Use of U-codes, Chapter 22

This year is unique in that the WHO created two new codes for ICD-10 — both codes in the U-section, Codes Reserved for Special Purposes.

Code: U07.0 → Code Description: Vaping-related disorder

Code: U07.1 → Code Description: COVID-19

In addition, CMS created 12 new procedure codes for coding COVID-19 treatment.

Health Informationist and Terminologist – are professionals with current knowledge for codifying, classifying and validating health conditions and medical treatment.