Documenting and Coding Amyloidosis - Use the Correct ICD-10 Codes
Amyloidosis is caused by a build-up of an abnormal protein called amyloid in the organs and tissues throughout the body. The article lists the ICD-10 codes for this condition. Outsource Strategies International 8596 E. 101st Street Suite H Tulsa, OK 74133
Amyloidosisis a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein called “amyloid” (produced in your bone marrow) builds up in your tissues and organs throughout the body. The buildup of amyloid protein can cause the organs and tissues to become stiff and make it difficult for them to work properly, leading to serious, life threatening organ failure. The condition can affect different organs in different people, as there are different types of amyloidosis. The most frequently affected organs include the heart, kidneys, intestines, joints, skin, liver, nerves, spleen and soft tissues. There is no specific cure for amyloidosis. However, appropriate and timely treatments can help better manage the symptoms and limit the production of amyloid protein. Nephrologists and other specialists who provide treatment for amyloidosis should also ensure that this condition is properly documented in the medical records. This is important for medical coding companies to ensure accurate medical coding on the claims and accurate reimbursement. Reports suggest that amyloidosis is a common type of soft tissue disorder in the United States, with approximately 4,500 new cases diagnosed every year (2017 statistics). The condition generally affects people in the age group of 50-65 years, (although there are a few cases of people being diagnosed in their early/late 20s). It is estimated that about twothirds of people diagnosed are male. The disease can seriously damage your kidneys, heart and nervous system. The survival rate for this condition depends on several factors, including how early it is diagnosed, if diagnosed early - how the organs are affected, and how well the treatment modalities work. Types of Amyloidosis In general, this condition is caused by a buildup of amyloid in your organs. But, how the amyloid builds up depends on which type of the condition a person is suffering from. There are four different types of amyloidosis
AL (immunoglobulin light chain) amyloidosis - Also known as primary amyloidosis, this is the most common type and can affect the heart, kidneys, skin, nerves and liver.
AA amyloidosis - Also known as secondary amyloidosis, it mostly affects your kidneys but occasionally your digestive tract, liver or heart.
Dialysis-related amyloidosis - Generally affecting people on long-term dialysis, this condition occurs when proteins in the blood are deposited in the joints and tendons, causing pain, stiffness and fluid in the joints.
www.outsourcestrategies.com
918-221-7769
Hereditary/familial amyloidosis - This is an inherited disorder that primarily affects the liver, nerves, heart and kidneys.
Common Symptoms People won’t experience any particular signs and symptoms during the early stages of this condition. However, when the disease advances to a higher stage, the signs and symptoms become more evident and determine which specific organs are affected. Common signs and symptoms include
Swelling of ankles and legs
Skin changes (like thickening or easy bruising, and purplish patches around the eyes)
Significant weight loss
Shortness of breath
Numbness, tingling or pain in your hands or feet, especially pain in your wrist
Fatigue and weakness
Fast, slow, or irregular heart rate
Difficulty swallowing
An enlarged tongue
The potential factors that can increase the risk of this disorder include - age, sex, family history, kidney dialysis and other chronic infectious or inflammatory diseases. How to Easily Diagnose and Treat Amyloidosis Diagnosing this chronic disorder is often difficult, as the signs and symptoms often mimic those of other related conditions. Early diagnosis of this condition may help prevent further organ damage. Initial diagnosis will begin with a thorough medical history review and detailed physical examination by physicians. This will be followed by several lab tests like blood and urine tests, bone marrow aspiration (to remove a small amount of fluid from inside bones) and biopsy (a tissue sample may be taken from abdominal fat, bone marrow, or an organ such as your liver or kidney) to correctly determine the type of amyloid deposit. In addition, several diagnostic imaging tests such as echocardiogram (to assess the size and functioning of heart) and other tests can evaluate the extent of amyloidosis in your liver or spleen. As mentioned above, there is no specific cure for amyloidosis. However, treatment can help effectively manage signs and symptoms and limit further production of amyloid protein. The
www.outsourcestrategies.com
918-221-7769
treatment modality may mainly depend on the type of amyloidosis and target the source of the amyloid production. Prominent treatment methods include - medications
(pain
relievers, drugs to manage diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, diuretics to reduce fluid buildup, blood thinners, chemotherapy medications and other medicines to control your heart rate), Proteasome inhibitors, Immunomodulators, Autologous blood stem cell transplant (ASCT), and liver/kidney transplants. Physicians and nephrology specialists offering treatment for amyloidosis must use the specific ICD-10 diagnosis codes for reporting the condition on the medical claims they submit to health insurers for reimbursement. Medical billing and coding services offered by experienced providers can assist physicians in using the right ICD-10 codes for their medical billing process. ICD-10 codes to Use for Amyloidosis E85 - Amyloidosis
E85.0 - Non-neuropathic heredofamilial amyloidosis
E85.1 - Neuropathic heredofamilial amyloidosis
E85.2 - Heredofamilial amyloidosis, unspecified
E85.3 - Secondary systemic amyloidosis
E85.4 - Organ-limited amyloidosis
E85.8 - Other amyloidosis
E85.81 - Light chain (AL) amyloidosis
E85.82 - Wild-type transthyretin-related (ATTR) amyloidosis
E85.89 - Other amyloidosis
E85.9 - Amyloidosis, unspecified Even though there is no total cure for amyloidosis, with right and early treatment, patients can successfully manage many of the prominent symptoms of this condition. The extent of symptom management and speed of recovery may often depend on the type of amyloidosis a person suffers from and extent of tissue damage it has caused. Medical coding for amyloidosis can be complex. By outsourcing medical coding to a reliable medical billing and coding outsourcing company (that provides the services of AAPC-
www.outsourcestrategies.com
918-221-7769
certified coding specialists), healthcare practices can ensure correct and timely medical billing and claims submission.
www.outsourcestrategies.com
918-221-7769