CDC announces new ICD-10-CM codes for COVID-19-related conditions

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) December 3 announced the implementation of six new ICD-10-CM codes to identify conditions related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

The new codes are:

•   J12.82, pneumonia due to COVID-19
  •    Pneumonia due to SARS-CoV-2
• M35.81, multisystem inflammatory syndrome
  •    Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children
  •    Pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome
• M35.89, other specified systemic involvement of connective tissue
• Z11.52, encounter for screening for COVID-19
• Z20.822, contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19
  •    Contact with and (suspected) exposure to SARS-CoV-2
• Z86.16, personal history of COVID-19

Per the ICD-10-CM Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries, January 1 Tabular Addenda, when reporting code J12.82 or M35.81, coders must first report code U07.1 for COVID-19, if applicable.

A tabular note under code M35.81 instructs coders to use additional codes to report complications associated with multisystem inflammatory syndrome such as:

• Acute hepatic failure (K72.0-)
• Acute kidney failure (N17.-)
• Acute myocarditis (I40.-)
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (J80)
• Cardiac arrhythmia (I47-I49.-)
• Pneumonia due to COVID-19 (J12.82)
• Severe sepsis (R65.2-)
• Viral cardiomyopathy (B33.24)
• Viral pericarditis (B33.23)

Coders who report a diagnosis of multisystem inflammatory system using code M35.81 are also instructed to use additional codes, if applicable, to report:

• Exposure to COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 infection (Z20.822)
• Personal history of COVID-19 (Z86.16)
• Sequelae of COVID-19 (B94.8)

All six new codes will be effective January 1. Full addenda information regarding the new codes is available here.