CMS Announces New Diagnosis Codes, Effective This Fall

Among ICD-10-CM codes, an additional list of almost 400 new diagnosis codes is expected to take effect this fall, at the beginning of FY 2024. Of the 395 new codes, 123 relate to the external causes of morbidity chapter of the ICD-10-CM manual, specifically to capture accidents and injuries. In additions to the addition of the new codes, other changes will include 25 deletions to the diagnosis code set, as well as 13 revisions.

Per the CMS announcement, the changes will go into effect on October 1, with many of the overall changes pertaining to the reporting of certain diseases, accidents and injuries, and social determinants of health (SDOH). According to the CMS, the new diagnosis codes are “spread throughout the code set, with several dozen pertaining to osteoporosis with fractures, retinopathy and muscle entrapment in the eye, and disease of the nervous system—including Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.” 

As relates to SDOH, the new codes include 30 new diagnosis codes for factors influencing health status and contact with health services, along with new guidelines for reporting these codes. The CMS noted that the update to the 2024 diagnosis code “comes at a time when hospitals and health systems are working more diligently than ever to address their patients’ social needs and the broader SDOH in the communities they serve.” 

Also pointed out by the CMS, “One way to capture data on the social needs of patient populations is through proper documentation and keeping revenue cycle staff up to date on code changes, which will help to better identify non-medical factors that may influence a patient’s health status.”