ICD-10-CM Coding FAQs for Audiologists and SLPs

The following answers regarding ICD-10-CM (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) are based on general coding principles and best practices as well as guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are responsible for verifying coding and billing policies with their specific payers.

On this page:

• ICD-10-CM Coding Principles
• ICD-10-CM Coding for Audiologists
• ICD-10-CM Coding for Speech-Language Pathologists

See also: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology

ICD-10-CM Coding Principles

• How are normal results coded?
• How do I know which ICD-10-CM code to list first on my claim form?
• What do the "Excludes1" and "Excludes2" notations mean on the ICD-10-CM code lists?
• What is the difference between codes listed as "other" and codes listed as "unspecified"?
• What does it mean to "code to the highest level of specificity possible"?

How are normal results coded?

There are no ICD-10-CM codes to reflect a normal result. Instead, the signs and symptoms, chief complaint, or reason for the encounter should be reported as the primary diagnosis. List any additional codes that describe coexisting conditions. An evaluation to "rule out" a condition is not recognized as a coding convention and should not be used.

See also: Coding Normal Results Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know which ICD-10-CM code to list first on my claim form?

Generally, audiologists and SLPs should use the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for the speech, language, swallowing, vestibular, and/or hearing disorder that they are evaluating or treating (i.e., primary or treating diagnosis) as their first-listed diagnosis. The second-listed diagnosis—sometimes referred to as the secondary or medical diagnosis—is the medical diagnosis that is causing or contributing to the speech, language, swallowing, vestibular, and/or hearing disorder. Twelve slots are available on the CMS-1500 claim form [PDF] to accommodate the need for multiple diagnosis codes.

You need a secondary diagnosis for medically or neurologically based speech, language, swallowing, vestibular, and/or hearing disorders when you have medical evidence of a problem.

This is a coding convention, but if your payer or facility requests that you list the medical diagnosis as the first-listed diagnosis, and the speech, language, swallowing, vestibular, and/or hearing diagnosis as the second-listed diagnosis, then you should follow that payer’s or facility’s guidance.

Some codes may require different sequencing based on additional notes in the ICD-10-CM code list. These variations in sequencing will be identified very clearly at both the etiology ICD-10-CM code and the ICD-10-CM code that identifies the manifestation. For example, if an SLP assigns a diagnosis of dysphagia from the R13.1 series, the accompanying "code first" note directs the SLP to first list a separate code in the I69 series (in this case, dysphagia following cerebrovascular disease), when appropriate. Conversely, the I69 series is accompanied by a "use additional" note instructing the SLP to identify the type of dysphagia in the R13.1 series, if known.

What do the "Excludes1" and "Excludes2" notations mean on the ICD-10-CM code lists?

Excludes1 indicates that the codes excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the "Excludes1" notation. An "Excludes1" notation is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as the congenital form of a condition versus an acquired form of the same condition.

For example, code H93.25 for central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) has an "Excludes1" note that prevents clinicians from coding it with F80.2 for mixed receptive-expressive language disorder.

Excludes2 indicates codes that may be listed together because the conditions may occur together, even if they are unrelated. When an "Excludes2" notation appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together.

What is the difference between codes listed as "other" and codes listed as "unspecified?"

Codes designated as "unspecified" indicate that that there is insufficient information in the medical record to assign a more specific code. Codes designated as "other" indicate that sufficient documentation exists to assign a diagnosis, but no code exists for the specific condition.

What does it mean to "code to the highest degree of specificity possible"?

Audiologists and speech-language pathologists should choose the code(s) that provide the greatest degree of accuracy and completeness (i.e., the highest degree of specificity) which means selecting the diagnosis to the full number of characters available for that category of codes. ICD-10-CM consists of codes with 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 characters. 

An ICD-10-CM code is considered invalid if it has not been coded to the highest degree of specificity. For example, audiologists coding bilateral tinnitus should choose H93.13 (tinnitus, bilateral) rather than H93.1 (tinnitus). Speech-language pathologists coding oral phase dysphagia should code R13.11 (dysphagia, oral phase) rather than R13.1 (dysphagia).

Generally, codes with 3 characters are listed in ICD-10-CM as headers for categories that are further subdivided into more specific codes. However, a 3-character code should be used if the the category is not further subdivided. For example, G35 (multiple sclerosis) should be coded with only 3 characters because there are not more specific codes available. 

Audiology

• What code should an audiologist use for CAPD?
• How do I appropriately assign ICD-10-CM codes when a patient has hearing loss in both ears?
• An audiologist provides a hearing screening for a newborn. The infant does not pass the screening. What code should be used for the failed screening?

What code should an audiologist use for CAPD?

Use ICD-10-CM code H93.25 for the diagnosis of CAPD. CAPD coding for SLPs will differ.

How do I appropriately assign ICD-10-CM codes when a patient has a different type of hearing loss in each ear?

Audiologists can report two of the following codes to show a different type of hearing loss in each ear, as appropriate:

• H90.A11 Conductive hearing loss, unilateral, right ear, with restricted hearing on the contralateral side
• H90.A12 Conductive hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with restricted hearing on the contralateral side
• H90.A21 Sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, right ear, with restricted hearing on the contralateral side
• H90.A22 Sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with restricted hearing on the contralateral side
• H90.A31 Mixed conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, right ear, with restricted hearing on the contralateral side
• H90.A32 Mixed conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral, left ear, with restricted hearing on the contralateral side

An audiologist provides a hearing screening for a newborn. The infant does not pass the screening. What code should be used for the failed screening?

The most commonly accepted option is to use a hearing loss code, such as H91.90 (unspecified hearing loss, unspecified ear) or one of the codes in the H91.8X series for "other specified hearing loss." Another option is to use P09.6 (abnormal findings on neonatal screening for neonatal hearing loss) for an initial neonatal screen on an infant 28 days old or younger.

Some audiologists have also been successful using "Z" codes."Z" codes represent "factors influencing health status and contact with health services" within the ICD-10-CM code set. They can be used to represent those times when a patient is seen for reasons other than a disease or injury, such as a hearing screening. However, acceptance of these codes varies widely across the health care industry. Some audiologists have reported that the following Z codes have been submitted on claims with varying success. Again, check with payers before submitting a claim.

• Z00.110 Newborn check under 8 days old
• Z00.111 Newborn check 8 to 28 days old
• Z00.121 Encounter for routine child health examination with abnormal findings
• Z00.129 Encounter for routine child health examination without abnormal findings
• Z01.10 Encounter for examination of ears and hearing without abnormal findings
• Z01.110 Encounter for hearing examination following failed hearing screening
• Z01.118 Encounter for examination of ears and hearing with other abnormal findings (Use additional code to identify abnormal findings)

The official ICD-10-CM guidelines provide detailed information on the appropriate use of "Z" codes.

Speech-Language Pathology

• Are there different diagnosis codes for speech-language deficits that are developmental in nature versus deficits that are due to physiological conditions?
• What is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pediatric verbal apraxia?
• What code do I use for autism? Asperger's syndrome?
• What ICD-10-CM code should I use for auditory processing (AP)?
• Why is there an exclusion for autism under the R47 series of codes for speech disturbances? How do I code for autism and articulation disorder?

Are there different diagnosis codes for speech-language deficits that are developmental in nature versus deficits that are due to physiological conditions?

Medically-based speech, language, or swallowing problems, such as those related to cleft palate and cerebral palsy, are coded typically in the R00–R99 series of codes. For example, the code for oral phase dysphagia is R13.11. The code for dysarthria of speech (not related to a cerebrovascular accident) is R47.1, which may be descriptive of the speech of a child who has cerebral palsy. For a child with language deficits related to an organic or medical condition, code R48.8 (other symbolic dysfunctions) is often used by SLPs to describe the deficit. When there is an underlying medical condition contributing to the speech or language deficit, this information should also be included on the claim.

For example, for a child with no related medical condition but who has speech-language deficits, use code F80.2, mixed receptive-expressive language disorder.

There are additional codes in each of these code series.

What is the ICD-10-CM diagnosis code for pediatric verbal apraxia?

The diagnosis code for apraxia is R48.2. Generally, codes in the R00-R99 series are used for organic disorders. SLPs are able to diagnose apraxia, and, as such, R48.2 is one of the few codes in the "R" series of codes that can be assigned by an SLP without the patient having a secondary medical condition. However, neurological information supporting use of this code/diagnosis may be useful for obtaining health plan coverage. You should be able to answer the following question: How is this child's verbal apraxia different from an articulation disorder?

What code do I use for autism? Asperger's syndrome?

The SLP reports as the first-listed diagnosis what the SLP treats—that is, the speech-language disorder, such as R48.8 (other symbolic dysfunction), which captures organic-based language deficits, including pragmatic disorders. The autism diagnosis F84.0 is the secondary diagnosis.

The code for Asperger’s syndrome is F84.5.

What ICD-10-CM code should I use for auditory processing (AP)?

If a diagnosis of CAPD has not been established by an audiologist, an SLP evaluating auditory processing abilities would code a language deficit using F80.2 (mixed receptive-expressive language disorder, developmental). If the patient has a CAPD evaluation performed by an audiologist who has assigned H93.25, the SLP evaluating AP skills might assign R48.8 to capture the language deficits as the first-listed diagnosis (i.e., primary or treating diagnosis) and H93.25 as the second-listed diagnosis (i.e., secondary or medical diagnosis) that supports R48.8.

Why is there an exclusion for autism under the R47 series of codes for speech disturbances? How do I code for autism and articulation disorder?

There is an Excludes1 note on the R47 family (e.g, dysarthria) indicating that clinicians should not code anything in the R47 family with F84.0 (autism). ASHA believes that this guidance in incongruous with other guidance from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which tells us to use, for example, the R48 series of codes with an autism diagnosis.

We have reached out to NCHS with our concerns, but until we have gotten word on any correction, we advise clinicians to use F80.0 (phonological disorder), along with the autism diagnosis. Though this is contrary to ASHA's standard guidance, because of this coding issue, this is the only option for clinicians until the problem is fixed.