Each month, AmeriHealth will feature an example of how ICD-9 codes will translate to ICD-10 codes. We will present coding examples from different specialties and popular disease categories to demonstrate the granularity that the new ICD-10 code set will provide.

Clinical concept: ICD-10 distinction between burns and corrosions

This article will explore the new clinical concept that distinguishes burns and corrosions as conveyed in ICD-10. In ICD-9, burn codes are reported by body site, depth, extent, and an additional code to identify the external cause when applicable. The same will be reported in ICD-10 but with a few additional concepts. The additional concepts are reporting the agent or cause of the corrosion, laterality, and encounter. ICD-10 also makes a distinction between burns and corrosions. Burn codes apply to thermal burns (except sunburns) that come from a heat source, such as fire, hot appliance, electricity, and radiation. Corrosions are burns due to chemicals. In ICD-9, burns and corrosions are classified by: Body site Depth Erythema: First degree Blistering: Second degree Full thickness involvement: Third degree Extent Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) External cause ? to identify the source, place, and intent of the burn/corrosion In ICD-10, burns and corrosions are classified by: Body site Depth Erythema: First degree Blistering: Second degree Full thickness involvement: Third degree Extent Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) External cause/Agent External cause ? to identify the source, place, and intent of the burn Agent ? to identify the chemical substance of the corrosion Laterality Right Left Unspecified Encounter ? For burns and corrosions, the seventh character designates the episode of care as: Initial encounter = A Subsequent encounter = D Sequela = S

ICD-9: Body site, Depth, Extent, External cause

Same code used for burns and corrosions Body site, Depth Extent (TBSA) External cause Burn/Corrosion 945.26 Blisters with epidermal loss due to burn (second degree) of thigh (any part) 948.10 Burn (any degree) involving 10 ? 19% of body surface with third degree burn of less than 10% or unspecified amount E988.1 Injury by burns or fire, undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted

ICD-10: Body site, Depth, Encounter, Laterality, Extent, External cause/Agent Distinct codes used for burns and corrosions Body site, Depth, Encounter, Laterality Extent (TBSA) External cause/Agent Burn T24.211A Burn of second degree of right thigh, initial encounter T31.10 Burns involving 10 ? 19% of body surface with 0 ? 9% third degree burns X00.3XXA Fall from burning building or structure in uncontrolled fire, initial encounter Corrosion T24.611A Corrosion of second degree of right thigh, initial encounter T32.10 Corrosions involving 10-19% of body surface with 0 ? 9% third degree corrosions T52.0X1A Toxic effect of petroleum products, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter A complete list of all ICD-10 coding examples featured to date can be found here: >> ICD-10 Spotlight: Know the codes booklet For additional information related to the AmeriHealth transition to ICD-10, please visit the ICD-1 0 section of our website.

Note: Burns of the eye and internal organs are classified by site, not by degree.