---
title: COVID Coding Updates Every CBCS Should Know
description: Staying current on rapidly evolving medical billing codes related to COVID-19 can be a challenge. Here's a quick overview to keep you informed.
---

[A blog for NHA candidates and certificate holders.](https://info.nhanow.com/blog)

# [COVID Coding Updates Every CBCS Should Know](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/covid-coding-updates-every-cbcs-should-know)

 Written by [Virginia Ferrari, MHA, CMAA, CEHRS](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/author/virginia-ferrari-mha-cmaa-cehrs) | Feb 8, 2021, 7:45:04 PM

How can you stay current with the rapidly evolving medical billing codes related to COVID-19? While coding processes are continually evolving, here are a few recent changes you should be aware of to stay in-the-know:

**ICD-10-CM**

**Effective January 1, 2021**, further additions to the ICD-10-CM Classification related to COVID-19 were implemented by the CDC. The additional codes are:

- **Z11.52**   Encounter for screening for COVID-19**\*** 
    - \*From the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting FY 2021: *“**During the COVID-19 pandemic, a screening code is generally not appropriate. Do not assign code Z11.52. For encounters for COVID-19 testing, including preoperative testing, code as exposure to COVID-19** (guideline I.C.1.g.1.e).*
    - ***Guideline I.C.1.g.1.e:*** *Exposure to COVID-19 - For asymptomatic individuals with actual or suspected exposure to COVID-19, assign code **822**. For symptomatic individuals with actual or suspected exposure to COVID-19 and the infection has been ruled out, or test results are inconclusive or unknown, assign code **Z20.822**.*
    - ***Coding guidance will be updated by the CDC as new information concerning any changes in the pandemic status becomes available.”***
- **Z20.822**  Contact with and (suspected) exposure to COVID-19
- **Z86.16**  Personal history of COVID-10
- **M35.81**  Multisystem inflammatory syndrome
- **M35.89**  Other specified systemic involvement of connective tissue
- **J12.82**  Pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019

**These codes are in addition to previously added code, U07.1 (COVID-19)**. Additional guidelines from the CDC include:    

- **Code only confirmed cases** 
    - Code only a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 as documented by the provider, documentation of a positive COVID-19 test result, or a presumptive positive COVID-19 test result.
    - If the documentation states “suspected,” “possible,” “probable,” or “inconclusive,” **do *not* assign code** **U07.1**
- **Sequencing of codes** 
    - When COVID-19 meets the definition of principal diagnosis, code U07.**1, COVID-19**, should be sequenced first, followed by the appropriate codes for associated manifestations, except in the case of obstetrics patients.
  
  For additional information go to the CDC website (link provided). [ICD - ICD-10-CM - International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (cdc.gov)](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm)
  
  **For the complete FY 2021 guidelines refer to this CDC link**: [ICD-10-CM FY 2021-COVID- updated Jan-Guidelines (cdc.gov)](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd/ICD-10cmguidelines-FY2021-COVID-update-January-2021-508.pdf)
  
  **CPT®**
  
  The American Medical Association provided an update late December 2020 related to COVID-19 CPT® coding and guidance. Those updates can be found here: [https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt/covid-19-cpt-coding-and-guidance](https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt/covid-19-cpt-coding-and-guidance).
  
  There is additional CPT® coding guidance for Category I vaccine descriptors, vaccine resources (Appendix Q), [https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-11/covid-19-immunizations-appendix-q-table.pdf](https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-11/covid-19-immunizations-appendix-q-table.pdf); and the special edition of the CPT® Assistant guide [https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-11/cpt-assistant-guide-covid-vaccine-coding-2020.pdf](https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2020-11/cpt-assistant-guide-covid-vaccine-coding-2020.pdf).
- ## Additional Resources
  
  NHA is here to help our CBCS certificate holders stay informed and navigate the rapidly changing codes and coding guidelines related to COVID-19. For information on other issues pertaining to billing and coding, such as the [3 Essential Soft Skills for Billing and Coding Specialists,](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/3-most-desirable-soft-skills-for-billing-coding-specialists) please subscribe to our blog. 
  
  **Other great websites to help you stay updated:**
  
  American Medical Association (AMA): [https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt/covid-19-cpt-vaccine-and-immunization-codes](https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt/covid-19-cpt-vaccine-and-immunization-codes)
  
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): [ICD - ICD-10-CM - International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (cdc.gov)](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/icd/icd10cm.htm)

 

[View full post](https://info.nhanow.com/blog/covid-coding-updates-every-cbcs-should-know)

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