The Weird Side of ICD-10-CM
So, as of October 1st, 2015, the ICD-10-CM is the coding standard for medical billers. There are a lot of new codes and.... well....
Well, spit it out already.
Some of the diagnosis codes that were added into the system are very strange and specific.
Oh, I've gotta hear these....
Well, first, let's start with the uncommon, but not impossible ones out there:
Animal bites. It starts with cows (W55.21), chickens (W61.33), and ducks(W61.62XD), but then goes on to more bizarre ones...
Struck by orca (W56.22). Yes, you read that right. HI WILLY!
Bitten by sea lion (W56.11). I imagine this might have been a problem in Madeira at one point. (Camara de Lobos)
I think that the last two on that list are the most improbable.
Improbable, but apparently not impossible. Remember this: If they had to make a code for it, then it means that it HAS happened to somebody.
And now, for some of the REALLY strange codes added to the system...
Accident while knitting or crocheting (Y93.D1). There are two reasons why I crochet and don't knit, and both of them involve sharp, stabby sticks.
Hurt at the opera (Y92.253) If you're dumb enough to have a front row seat and a powerful soprano comes on stage, you deserve the ruptured eardrum that you get (H66.013).
Walked into a lampost, subsequent encounter (W220.2XD). It's bad enough the first time you do it, but why would you do it a second time?!?
Burn due to water skis on fire (V91.07). How is this one even possible?!?! Unless you are using old ones for firewood....No, just.... no...Why is this one even in there?
Sucked into jet engine, subsequent encounter (V97.33XD). WHY IS THIS ONE EVEN A THING??? It's improbable enough for someone to get sucked into a jet engine, but the code implies a subsequent encounter. Do you know what that means? It means that this ISN'T the first time the patient has been sucked into a jet engine.
Prolonged stay in weightless environment (X52). Sounds like an astronaut problem.
How in the bloody fuck do they justify putting THOSE in the ICD-10-CM??
I have no idea, but it's legitimately in there.
Yeah, have fun coding THAT shit when you get a billing job.
You bet your ass that I will!
Gahdamn it, that's NOT how you were supposed to take that.
I know.
