Recommended updates to the lipedema.org coding page Aug 19 2020.
https://www.lipedema.org/about-lipedema
The information on the www.lipedema.org web page (Aug 19, 2020) is confusing and incorrect. Please see the update below.
On June 12, 2020 an ICD-10-CM evaluation committee, headed by Dr. Karen Herbst with support from the American Vein and Lymphatic Society, submitted new ICD-10-CM codes to the NCHS/CDC for approval. If approved they would be included in the 2022 ICD-10-CM code set used in the United States. These codes include three stages (similar to the German codes) plus a code for lipolymphedema. A copy of the submission is available on our website.
The ICD-11 code listed, while it may be accurate would be confusing to most everyone. ICD-10-CM was adopted in the United States in 2015, roughly ten years after adoption worldwide. While ICD-11 won’t be as dramatic, I do not foresee any ICD-11 implementation in the United States for 7-10 years. The earliest date for reporting worldwide is currently January 2022. Note that the United States uses ICD-10-CM (Clinical Modifications) a set unique to the United States. Most of the EU does not use the German ICD-10 codes (which include stages).
The ICD-9 codes are irrelevant. Don’t use them.
R60 is an incomplete code. This group requires four characters.
There are three ICD-10-CM codes used to report lipedema in the United States. There is no specific code, in the tabular list, listed as uniquely lipedema. The three, in order of usage, are: R60.9 Edema (In the ICD-10-CM index this code is crosswalked to lipedema), Q82.0 Familial Hereditary Edema, and E88.2: Adiposis dolorosa; Lipomatosis dolorosa (Dercum’s disease).
Neither of the codes above is specifically incorrect or specifically accurate—but it is all we have until we have new codes; be sure to discuss the code options with your Provider and we do recommend including stages in the documentation even though there are currently no lipedema stage codes.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Jeffrey Restuccio, CPC, COC
(901) 517-1705
lipoforlipedemareimbursement
at gmail dot com