PRACTICE PERFECT
CODING & REIMBURSEMENT
ICD–10: How to Find the
Correct Code in 5 Steps
To help you prepare for the
Oct. 1 implementation of
ICD-10, EyeNet is providing
an overview of the five-step
process for finding ICD-10
codes (see below), along with a series
of subspecialty-specific Savvy Coders,
starting next month with cataract.
You’ll Need These Two Lists
Before you get started, you’ll need ac-
cess to two sets of lists.
• The Alphabetical Index of diag–
nostic terms (plus their corresponding
ICD-10 codes) lists thousands of “main
terms” alphabetically. Under each
of those main terms, there is often a
sublist of more-detailed terms—for
instance, “Cataract” has a sublist of
but diabetic retinopathy codes are in
chapter 4 (Endocrine, Nutritional, and
Metabolic Diseases).
Order the lists today. Both can be
downloaded from the CMS website
(www.cms.gov/icd10). For ophthal–
mologists, however, the most user-
friendly options are the ICD-10 for
Ophthalmology book and the ICD-10
for Ophthalmology Online Subscription.
Another key reference is the Ophthal–
mic Coding Coach, which will help you
link CPT codes to ICD-10 codes.
A Five-Step Process
Step 1: Search the Alphabetical Index
for a diagnostic term. After identify–
ing the term, note its ICD–10 code.
Tip. The term you’re looking for
by sue vicchrilli, cot, ocs
academy director of coding and reimbursement
The Academy offers a rich range of
resources to help you get prepared for
IC D-10 :
• Ophthalmic Coding Coach (avail–
able as a book and as an online sub-
scription)
• ICD-10–CM for Ophthalmology
(available as a book and as an online
subscription)
• 2015 Complete Guide to Retina
Coding (book)
• 2015 Ophthalmic Coding Series
Essential Topics (book)
• 2015 Ophthalmic Coding Series:
Specialty Topics (downloadable PDFs)
Essential Resources
