Lots of excitement over the release of the FY2022 ICD-10-PCS (Procedure Coding System) changes which came out on June 4th, 2021. In addition, there are a few changes to the PCS “Official Guidelines” (i.e., 3.7B Control), that every inpatient coding professional needs to be aware of and understand. For FY2022 there are 191 new codes, 62 revised titles, and 107 deleted codes, this makes the total number of PCS codes come to 78,220. The ICD-10-PCS is a medical/surgical procedure classification system published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for use in the United States.
ICD-10-PCS uses a seven alpha-numeric code to describe or represent the procedure performed. Each of the seven characters has a specific meaning or designation, for example the first character of “0” means that procedure is medical/surgical. Clinical documentation is needed of course in order to assign the correct PCS code accurately and compliantly, so the operative or procedure note needs to describe the procedure in detail.
The CMS FY2022 ICD-10 Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) files contain information on the ICD-10-PCS updates for FY2022. The PCS file with the tables and index is a very large 1949-page pdf but can be something of value when learning about the new codes. The two areas with the most “new” codes are Medical/Surgical and New Technology, with the “Administration” section having a decrease of 83 codes for 2022. I always enjoy learning about the codes added to “New Technology” in particular.
Although released early, these 2022 ICD-10-PCS codes are to be used for discharges occurring from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022.
Steps that should be taken to prepare for the new codes and changes include a thorough review (reading) of the Official Guidelines, ask questions, seek answers. Next, look over the PCS table changes, additions, revisions, and deletions. Obtain education on the FY2022 PCS new codes and other changes before October 1st, 2021. Bring together your Clinical Documentation Integrity (CDI) and Inpatient coding staff to discuss some of these new codes, the new technologies, and related documentation as there may be opportunity for querying. Education for providers may also be indicated so this is a good time to develop some short 10–15-minute in-services. Oh, Yes, you will need to audit once the new codes are implemented, and I like to have this conducted within 45-60 days from the October first implementation date, so be sure to put that on your calendar.
Access the 2022 ICD-10-PCS guidelines at: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/2022-official-icd-10-pcs-coding-guidelines.pdf
To obtain the PCS FY2022 files for the tables and index, go to the following: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/icd-10/2022-icd-10-pcs
The final ICD-10-CM (diagnosis) FY2022 codes have not been released yet, but this is expected at the usual time for the annual update, which is around the end of July, so stay tuned for that to come.
