September 28, 2009

Coding for Parkinson’s Disease
For The Record
Vol. 21 No. 18 P. 40

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive disorder that damages or destroys nerve cells in the part of the brain controlling muscle movement. It is caused by a severe shortage of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that directs and controls movement, and usually affects patients after the age of 50.

Types of Parkinson’s Disease

Primary or idiopathic Parkinson's disease
Primary or idiopathic Parkinson’s disease is classified to ICD-9-CM code 332.0. Though considered a “senior” disease, this code also includes Parkinson’s documented as “juvenile.”

Secondary Parkinson's disease
Secondary Parkinson’s disease may be caused from medications such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine, metoclopramide, or prochlorperazine. MPTP, a heroin by-product, has been documented as a cause of Parkinson’s disease in some IV drug users. If Parkinson’s disease is due to drugs, assign code 332.1. An E-code is also assigned to identify the drug and the circumstances surrounding the administration of the drug thought to have caused the disease. The patient’s symptoms disappear after the drug is stopped.

Other sources of secondary Parkinson’s disease include carbon monoxide poisoning, manganese poisoning, hydrocephalus, tumors in the midbrain, and subdural hematoma.
Parkinson's disease associated with other conditions

Parkinson’s disease associated with other conditions
If Parkinson’s disease is associated with orthostatic hypotension, progressive supranuclear palsy, or Shy-Drager syndrome, assign code 333.0. Parkinsonism in Huntington’s disease is classified to code 333.4, and syphilitic Parkinson’s disease goes to code 094.82.

Parkinson's disease with dementia
Dementia with Parkinson’s disease is classified to code 331.82. In addition, assign code 294.1x as a secondary diagnosis to identify associated behavioral disturbances, if any, which include aggressive, combative, or violent behavior or wandering off.

Symptoms
Primary symptoms of Parkinson's disease include the following:

• Tremors/shaking — usually affects the hands, arms, and legs and often disappears during sleep;

• Bradykinesia — slowness of movement or difficulty in moving from a resting position;

• Akinesia — difficulty in initiating movement;

• Rigid muscles — may limit range of movement;

• Poor balance and coordination — may experience repeated falls;

• Impaired posture;

• Loss of automatic movements — unblinking eyes, an arm that doesn't swing when walking, etc;

• Impaired speech — trouble speaking or monotonous; and

• Dementia.

Treatment
Physical therapy may be utilized to improve mobility, range of motion, and muscle tone, as well as relieve stress. While exercise does not stop the disease’s progression, it plays an important role in helping the patient remain as active as possible. A high-fiber diet is also recommended.

Medications utilized to help control the symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease are typically initiated when symptoms start to interfere with daily activities. Among the medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease are the following:

• Levodopa is transformed into dopamine by the brain. Long-term use, however, may cause side effects such as spasmodic movements (dyskinesia), hallucinations, or orthostatic hypotension.

• Carbidopa, which causes levodopa to enter the brain and helps reduce some side effects of the therapy, is sometimes used in combination with levodopa.

• Dopamine agonists such as pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine are used as an adjunct to levodopa therapy.

• MAO B inhibitors, includes selegiline (Eldepryl) and rasagiline (Azilect).
• Catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors, which prolong the effects of carbidopa-levodopa therapy, include tolcapone and entacapone.

• Anticholinergics such as trihexyphenidyl and benztropine are used alone to help control tremors in the early stages of the disease and combined with levodopa later on.

• Antivirals, including amantadine (Symmetrel).

Surgery is another treatment option for patients with Parkinson’s disease and may include the following:

• thalamotomy: destruction of a small amount of tissue in the thalamus;

• pallidotomy: destruction of a small amount of tissue in the globus pallidus; and

• deep brain stimulation: a unit implanted in the chest transmits electric impulses through a wire to tiny electrodes in the globus pallidus. The generator codes used to classify deep brain stimulation include 86.94, Insertion or replacement of single-array neurostimulator pulse generator, not specified as rechargeable; 86.95, Insertion or replacement of dual-array neurostimulator pulse generator, not specified as rechargeable; 86.96, Insertion or replacement of other neurostimulator pulse generator; 86.97, Insertion or replacement of single-array rechargeable neurostimulator pulse generator; and 86.98, Insertion or replacement of dual-array rechargeable neurostimulator pulse generator.

Assign as an additional procedure code any associated lead implantation into the brain (02.93). Specific code assignment will depend on procedure performed, device used, and documentation provided by the surgeon.

Coding and sequencing for Parkinson’s disease are dependent on the physician documentation in the medical record and application of the Official Coding Guidelines for inpatient care. Also, use specific AHA Coding Clinic for ICD-9-CM and American Medical Association CPT Assistant references to ensure complete and accurate coding.

— This information was prepared by Audrey Howard, RHIA, of 3M Consulting Services. 3M Consulting Services is a business of 3M Health Information Systems, a supplier of coding and classification systems to nearly 4,000 healthcare providers. The company and its representatives do not assume any responsibility for reimbursement decisions or claims denials made by providers or payers as the result of the misuse of this coding information. More information about 3M Health Information Systems is available at www.3mhis.com or by calling 800-367-2447.