Every year, CMS publishes updates to the ICD-10 code set for discharges and encounters that take place on or after October 1. For the 2022 ICD-10 code set (effective October 1, 2021), there are 159 new billable codes, most of which add detail to existing, less-specific codes. In addition, there are some new non-billable codes, deletions, and changes to code descriptions.

While many of the code changes will only affect a few specialties or subspecialties, several changes will affect a broader group of providers, including:

  • F32.A: Depression, unspecified has been added. This new code is in addition to F32.9, Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified, which remains a valid, billable code.
  • M54.5: Low back pain has been converted to a non-billable parent code, and three more specific codes have been added:
    • M54.50: Low back pain, unspecified
    • M54.51: Vertebrogenic low back pain
    • M54.59: Other low back pain
  • R05: Cough has been converted to a non-billable parent code, and six more specific codes have been added:
    • R05.1: Acute cough
    • R05.2: Subacute cough
    • R05.3: Chronic cough
    • R05.4: Cough syncope
    • R05.8: Other specified cough
    • R05.9: Cough, unspecified
  • There are several additions attributable to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic:
    • U09.9: Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified
    • Z71.85: Encounter for immunization safety counseling
  • There are also new codes to convey more detailed information about certain social determinants of health:
    • Z55.5: Less than a high school diploma
    • Z58.6: Inadequate drinking-water supply
    • Z59.00: Homelessness unspecified
    • Z59.01: Sheltered homelessness
    • Z59.02: Unsheltered homelessness
    • Z59.41: Food insecurity
    • Z59.48: Other specified lack of adequate food
    • Z59.811: Housing instability, housed, with risk of homelessness
    • Z59.812: Housing instability, housed, homelessness in past 12 months
    • Z59.819: Housing instability, housed unspecified
    • Z59.89: Other problems related to housing and economic circumstances

To see all codes that have changed, the updated conversion table can be downloaded here: https://www.cms.gov/files/zip/2022-conversion-table-updated-08272021.zip. Filtering the “Effective” column for 2021 will show all new codes effective for dates of service on or after October 1, 2021. While this file contains all historical code changes, it does not include code descriptions. All 2022 ICD-10 files from CMS are available here: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/icd-10/2022-icd-10-cm.

For a more user-friendly crosswalk of the new and previous codes and descriptions, a simple PDF can be downloaded here.