You only have a few weeks to fully implement the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline changes by the October 1st deadline. ICD-10-CM coding guideline.
It is essential that you apply the 2022 outpatient diagnosis code updates correctly the first time. Failure to do so can lead to denied claims and a halt to your reimbursement. Not to mention the mounds of wasted time you’ll have to spend to track and re-submit claims correctly to get reimbursed what you are due.

Note: Even if you’re not a Medicare or Medicaid provider, HIPAA and third-party payers require you to implement these changes on time.

Accessing ICD-10-CM Coding Guideline Changes

Identifying all of the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline changes is the first step to implementing them successfully. There are several ways you can go about it:

1.  Get Help:  A simple search online for the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline changes result in hundreds of results. There is too much riding on you getting your information from just anywhere. You must be sure to get your updates from a credible source.

You can download the free 2022 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Excel Tool for a complete list of all changes by chapter. This tool allows you to filter the entire list of code changes or filter them by chapter to meet your specific practice needs. This tool also provides you with CMS’ year-over-year conversion chart and a summary breakdown of the new, deleted, and modified codes and language updates.

2.  Get Data from the Source:

a. CMS Data Location: Each year, CMS posts all of the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline changes on its website in six separate downloadable ZIP files:

• 2022 POA Exempt Codes (ZIP): CMS description of POA Exempt Codes
• 2022 Conversion Table – Updated 08/27/2021 (ZIP)
• 2022 Code Descriptions in Tabular Order (ZIP)
• 2022 Addendum (ZIP)
• 2022 Code Tables, Tabular and Index (ZIP)
• FY 2022 ICD-10-CM Coding Guidelines (PDF)
• Note: Zip files are a way to condense large amounts of data into smaller file sizes to be accessed more quickly.

b. Download the Data: You must download each ZIP file separately. Follow these three steps for each ZIP file you want to download:

• Click on the file you want to download
• A “Save As” window should pop up asking you where you’d like to save the file to download.
• Choose the folder you’d like to download the data into and click the “Save” button at the bottom right of the window.

c. Extract the Data: Each downloaded 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline file will save in a folder of your choosing and have a ZIP extension. This indicates that you must extract the condensed information from the folder to access it. Follow these steps to decompress the data so you can access the data:

• Click on the ZIP folder you downloaded. You should see an “Extract All” button at the top right of the window that opens.
• Click the “Extract All” button. This will take you to a “Select a Destination and Extract Files” window. The folder you choose will be where the data is extract into.
• Click on the “Browse” button to choose your folder, and then click the “Extract” button at the bottom of the window to decompress the files

d. Format: Each extracted folder usually contains multiple files. Typically, each file name is available in both XLSX (Excel) and TXT (Text) formats. If you are not utilizing Excel, try accessing the data in the TXT format. To do this, go to your preferred program, choose “Open” from the file menu, and then select the TXT file. This will convert the data into the file format for the program you are utilizing. Then you will need to save the file in the new format.

Implementing Diagnosis Code Changes

Once you know the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline changes, you must correctly implement them into your system to ensure your claims are paid correctly.

One massive area of risk for your practice is your billing/medical records software system (if you use one). Trusting your software system blindly to correctly implement annual ICD-10-CM changes can have dire consequences.  Ultimately, if there is a mistake in your system, you will be the one that suffers, not the software company. Accordingly, you must take the time to compare the current year’s diagnosis code changes to those added to your software system to identify any errors so they can be quickly resolved.

Finally, it is essential that you educate your office staff and providers regarding the key 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline changes – depending on your specialty. This will help improve efficiency and accuracy when your team needs to choose the correct diagnosis code – whether they are doing so electronically or on paper.

New and Deleted Codes

Some of the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline changes are simply corrections to spelling errors, while others represent significant modifications in the way diseases and conditions are classified. Another key change area is when codes are added or deleted. Accordingly, below you’ll find a high-level breakdown of code additions and deletions by chapter for the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guidelines.

Note: Chapters not listed below contained no new or deleted codes.

To ensure a drama-free transition to the 2022 ICD-10-CM coding guideline changes by the Oct. 1st deadline, expert coder, Kim Huey MJ, CHC, CPC, CCS-P, PCS, CPCO, can help. During her 60-minute online training session titled, “Oct. 1st Deadline: New 2022 ICD-10-CM Code Changes,” she’ll walk you through the additions, deletions, and revisions that will have the highest impact on your practice and how to implement them correctly.

2022 ICD-10-CM New and Deleted Codes by Chapter

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