Making fun of silly ICD-10 codes has become a favorite occupation of many Washington lawmakers – and it’s one that gained traction again after Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, introduced his “Cutting Costly Codes Act of 2013” late last month.
 
In a House floor speech, Poe particularly singled out the several codes in ICD-10 for turkey attacks. "There is a code for being assaulted by a turkey for the first time, there is a code for being assaulted by the turkey a second time. There are nine codes," Poe said, according to iHealthBeat.
 
But, as the Galen Healthcare Solutions blog points out, Poe may have fallen victim to a common misconception about the meaning of the term “subsequent encounter” in ICD-10: “One of the biggest and most significant misconceptions inherent to the implementation of ICD-10 is the confusion that subsequent encounter means that ‘it happened again.’ In truth, that designation is meant to describe when the patient has received active treatment for the injury, and the physician is providing routine care for the injury during the healing or recovery phase.”
 
Another code often singled out for mirth is W22.02 (Walked into lamppost). And yet: Could a patient’s history of walking into lampposts or other objects tell their physician that it might be time to bring up the subject of domestic violence? Some ICD-10 experts have made that case.
 
That said, we still think Y93D1 (Stabbed while crocheting) is a bit silly.
 
Silliness notwithstanding, it’s time to get serious about ICD-10 preparation, especially considering the results of a recent survey conducted by DecisionHealth and the National Association for Home Care & Hospice, which showed that home health agencies are far behind on their implementation plans.