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ICD-10 MORPHOLOGY CODES AND THE CORRECT VERSION OF ICD-10 TO BE USED
Rendani Tendane - Medical Coding Consultant
Use of Morphology codes
We received enquiries about the use of ICD-10 Morphology codes (M-codes) on accounts where some medical schemes are insisting on the morphology codes on accounts for e.g. where neoplasias are coded.
The below information was published on the 4th of April 2014 by the Department of Health on implementation of ICD-10 phase 3 and phase 4 Since then there has been no further information published regarding morphology codes.
Please note that the compulsory submission of ICD-O (morphology coding) has been postponed and will thus not be implemented on 01 July 2014 as previously indicated. A new implementation date will be communicated in due course. Those who are using morphology codes should however continue to do so.
Caution regarding different versions of ICD-10
Please note that not all reference to ICD-10 on the internet is referring to the World Health Organisation (WHO) edition of ICD-10. In South Africa, we use the WHO ‘vanilla’ version of ICD-10, with a few local code additions. The SA ICD-10 Master Industry Table (MIT), Jan 2014 (containing all WHO Corrigenda updates until January 2014), is the ONLY official reference list for ICD-10 codes appropriate for use in South Africa.
The American ICD-10-CM (Clinical Modification), the new diagnostic coding system replacing ICD-9-CM in America is also referred to as ICD-10 on the internet. This is a very different set of codes, although based on ICD-10, a clinical modification has been done and some of the codes now have up to 7 characters (Format: XXX.XXXX). These are not appropriate for use in South Africa. The WHO also have a version of ICD-10 (2016) available in electronic look-up format on their website. However, this does not contain the South African local codes or specific rules for use of the code set in South Africa. An updated 2016 set of ICD-10 books is available from DENOSA – please note that there are some new codes in this edition which are not in the SA ICD-10 MIT January 2014.
It is thus vital to always cross-reference your ICD-10 codes to the SA MIT to ensure adherence to local industry requirements. The MIT can be freely downloaded from the website of the National Department of Health: http://www.health.gov.za/index.php/shortcodes/2015-03-29-10-42-47/2015-06-10-09-23-36/2015-06-10-09-26-11
Our SAMA Products
Electronic ICD-10 browser developed by SAMA. It includes the latest 2014 MIT ICD-10 codes which is the official version of ICD-10 used in South-Africa.
For non SAMA members you can go to our SAMA website www.samedical.co.za, select SAMA Products, then you select ICD-10 electronic browser developed by SAMA. See below pricing list
2019 edition of the Electronic ICD-10 (browser)
(Based on the 2014 ICD-10 Master Industry Table)
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