CMS has responded to member concerns that the ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes identified by the CDC as appropriate to code for COVID-19 were not compatible with the Medicare Part A SNF PPS PDPM payment model. Specifically, none of the CDC identified codes could be used to represent the Primary Reason for SNF Stay on the MDS assessment Item I0020B.
On March 31, CMS posted an updated FY 2020 PDPM ICD-10 Mappings file (.zip) which adds the ICD-10-CMS code ‘U07.1 - 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease’ as an appropriate code to enter in the MDS I0020B Primary reason for SNF stay item field. If entered, this code will map to the PDPM ‘Pulmonary’ default clinical category used for the PT, OT, and SLP components. This new code does not impact the PDPM Nursing or NTA component classifications at present.
This new code U07.1 is ONLY in effect for assessments with target date April 1, 2020 and later. For assessments with an assessment reference date March 31, 2019 or earlier, providers will need to enter the most appropriate ICD-10 code available that is not listed as a ‘return to provider’ code in the MDS I0020B item field.
Additional files related to coding specifications necessary for software companies to implement this change are located on the MDS 3.0 Technical Information webpage. Providers do not need to review these files but should check with their MDS software vendors to confirm when these updated have been applied or you will see a ‘return to provider’ error in your MDS software.