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Coding Non-ischemic Myocardial Injury (Non-traumatic)
Published on
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Did You Know?
A new code has been created to identify a non-ischemic myocardial injury (non-traumatic).
Why Should I Care?
Myocardial injury, in the absence of ischemia, is categorized as acute or chronic nonischemic myocardial injury. Previously, non-ischemic, non-traumatic, myocardial injury was assigned to code (I51.89) (Other ill-defined heart diseases). Effective October 1, 2021, non-ischemic, non-traumatic, myocardial injury is assigned to code I5A (CC).
Non-ischemic myocardial injury (non-traumatic) code (I5A) includes:
- Acute myocardial injury (non-ischemic)
- Chronic myocardial injury (non-ischemic)
- Unspecified myocardial injury (non-ischemic)
Instructions under I5A:
- Code first the underlying causes, if known and applicable, such as: acute kidney failure, acute myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, chronic kidney disease, etc.
- Excludes1: acute myocardial infarction and injury of heart
- Excludes2: other acute ischemic heart diseases
Clinicians can now determine whether patients have suffered a non-ischemic myocardial injury or one of the other myocardial injuries: Type 1 MI (myocardial ischemic injury) or Type 2 MI (supply/demand without acute atherothrombosis).
The new code will allow for the appropriate classification of these patients. Accurate coding of myocardial injury will allow for appropriate reimbursement and support resource costs as well.
What Should I Do?
If you see documentation of myocardial injury, remember that this condition is codable, even if the patient doesn’t have a myocardial infarction (ischemic).
References:
ICD-10-CM Official Coding Book
Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS, Fourth Quarter, 2021: Page 14
Coding Clinic for ICD-10-CM/PCS, Second Quarter, 2019: Page 5
Article Author: Susie James, RHIT, CCS
Susie James, RHIT, CCS, is the Manager of Inpatient Coding Services at MMP, Inc. Susie has worked in the coding field for over 30 years and has worked as a coder, coding supervisor, and corporate coding manager for a large multi-facility system in Birmingham. She also worked for Alabama Quality Assurance Foundation (AQAF) as a coding reviewer/auditor before joining the team at Medical Management Plus, Inc. Susie has previously served as the President of the Alabama Association of Health Information Management (AAHIM) on the Board of Directors and currently serves as the Education/Coding Roundtable Chair. She is also a member of the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and has previously served as the Co-chair for AHIMA's Leadership Team. She also served as a facilitator at AHIMA's 85th National Convention in Atlanta Georgia.
This material was compiled to share information. MMP, Inc. is not offering legal advice. Every reasonable effort has been taken to ensure the information is accurate and useful.
