COVID-19 ICD-10-CM Coding Timeline for Outpatient Services

When COVID-19 emerged in early 2020, new ICD-10-CM codes to identify this condition were not available. Subsequent ICD-10-CM codes and guidelines for reporting COVID-19 changed many times as the pandemic evolved throughout 2020. The correct application of ICD-10-CM “Z” codes to report encounters for COVID-19 testing were particularly confusing, and coders were left to acquaint themselves—again—when new codes and guidance went into effect on January 1, 2021.
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Source: AHIMA SmartBrief email Newsletter.