A major shift in the reporting of transgender issues is at hand.
They’re here, but it won’t be until sometime until after 2022 that the United States is expected to adopt the codes of ICD-11 – the new International Classification of Diseases, Version 11 – released yesterday by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva.
According to the WHO, the ICD-11 codes will be presented at the World Health Assembly next May for adoption by member states and could become effective as soon as Jan. 1, 2022. The U.S. was a late adopter of ICD-10 codes, given that the WHO released them in 1993.
“I am really excited to see the release of ICD-11,” wrote Laurie Johnson in an email to ICD10monitor. “I say that knowing that it will take the U.S. four to six years to clinically modify ICD-11, which is standard process. I hope that the U.S. will convert faster than they did for ICD-10.”
The release yesterday by the WHO is a preview of the new codes, intended to allow countries to plan to use the new version and train health professionals, according to a news release posted on the WHO website.
Notable among the new ICD-11 codes are those related to the Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS). The WHO also indicated that the new code set is able to better capture data regarding safety in healthcare, which means that unnecessary events that may harm health – such as unsafe workflows in hospitals – can be identified and eliminated.
ICD-11 also includes a new chapter on sexual health. Originally, gender incongruence was listed under mental health conditions or described differently, according to the WHO.
“Transgender disorders are being recommended to switch out of mental disorders to sexual disorders in ICD-11,” wrote psychiatrist H. Steven Moffic in an email to ICD10monitor. “This is major, and I had started to recommend this (change) at least a decade ago, when I was medical director of a clinic specializing in this (subject).”
Moffic said that if ICD-11 does indeed move the diagnosis of “gender incongruence” from a classification of mental health to sexual health, this may turn out to be a positive game changer for those people and their loved ones. Moffic said that those who have “gender incongruence” are generally perfectly happy with who they are, happiness that is only impaired by the current stigma.
“As a former medical director of a clinic specializing in this challenge, I’ve actually been saying it for years now, because it would invariably reduce the stigma associated with it being considered a mental health disorder, said Moffic. “The disorder is really more of a social disorder, in the sense of many modern-day societies needing to accept these natural, in-born, and fluid variations in gender identity,” Moffic continued.
The WHO reported that gaming disorder has been added to the section on addictive disorders.
“A key principle in this revision was to simplify the coding structure and electronic tooling – this will allow healthcare professionals to more easily and completely record conditions,” said Dr. Robert Jakob, team leader of classifications terminologies and standards at WHO.
Continue to check back with ICD10monitor.com for more reporting on the new ICD-11 codes.
Resources:
http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/
There is a certain not-so-hidden gem ICD-10-PCS: the body-part key. PCS coding can be challenging, so it is vital to take advantage of all the
With the April 1 update, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented 80 new PCS codes. To break it down, there are 24
Please log in to your account to comment on this article.
Breast biopsy procedures may be clinically straightforward but accurately translating them into compliant billing can be anything but. In this focused webcast, Shawn Blackburn, CPC, CPMA, CIC, CRC, CCS-P breaks down how imaging guidance, lesion count, laterality, and payer expectations all impact how these procedures should be reported. Through clear explanations and real-world scenarios, you’ll gain practical insight into aligning clinical workflows with billing requirements, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring your documentation supports accurate reimbursement and compliance.
Gain clarity and confidence in OB‑GYN coding with this expert‑led webcast featuring Sherri L. Clayton, RHIT, CSS. You’ll learn how to apply global maternity package rules accurately, select the right CPT codes for procedures and visits, and identify documentation gaps that lead to denials. With practical guidance and real examples, this session helps you strengthen compliance, reduce audit risk, and ensure accurate reimbursement for women’s health services.
Uncover essential coding insights with nationally recognized coding authority Kay Piper, RHIA, CDIP, CCS. Through ICD10monitor’s interactive, on‑demand webcast series, Kay walks you through the AHA’s 2026 ICD‑10‑CM/PCS Quarterly Coding Clinics, translating each update into practical, easy‑to‑apply guidance designed to sharpen precision, ensure compliance, and strengthen day‑to‑day decision‑making. Available shortly after each official release.
Uncover critical guidance on the ICD-10-CM/PCS code updates. Kay Piper reviews and explains ICD-10-CM/PCS coding guidelines in the AHA’s fourth quarter 2026 ICD-10-CM/PCS Coding Clinic in an easy to access on-demand webcast.
Traditional utilization management models can no longer keep pace with regulatory shifts, payer scrutiny, and operational pressures. In this webcast, Tiffany Ferguson, LMSW, CMAC, ACM, ACPA-C, introduces an Adaptive Model strategy that modernizes UM through role specialization, technology-driven workflows, and proactive, team-based processes. Attendees will learn how to restructure programs to improve efficiency, strengthen clinical collaboration, and enhance financial performance in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Federal auditors are intensifying their focus on inpatient psychiatric facilities, using advanced data analytics to spotlight outliers and pursue high‑dollar repayments. In this high‑impact webcast, Michael Calahan, PA, MBA, Compliance Officer and V.P., Hospital & Physician Compliance, breaks down what regulators are really targeting in IPF-PPS admissions, documentation, treatment and discharge planning. Attendees will learn practical steps to tighten processes, avoid common audit triggers and protect reimbursement and reduce the risk of multimillion-dollar repayment demands.
In this timely session, Stacey Shillito, CDIP, CPMA, CCS, CCS-P, CPEDC, COPC, breaks down the complexities of Medical Decision Making (MDM) documentation so providers can confidently capture the true complexity of their care. Attendees will learn practical, efficient strategies to ensure documentation aligns with current E/M guidelines, supports accurate coding, and reduces audit risk, all without adding to charting time.
Join Ronald Hirsch, MD, FACP, CHCQM for The PEPPER Returns – Risk and Opportunity at Your Fingertips, a practical webcast that demystifies the PEPPER and shows you how to turn complex claims data into actionable insights. Dr. Hirsch will explain how to interpret key measures, identify compliance risks, uncover missed revenue opportunities, and understand new updates in the PEPPER, all to help your organization stay ahead of audits and use this powerful data proactively.
Happy HIP Week! Sign up to win free access to our 2026 Coding Clinic Update Webcast Series! Click here to learn more →
Prepare for the 2025 CMS IPPS Final Rule with ICD10monitor’s IPPSPalooza! Click HERE to learn more
Get 15% OFF on all educational webcasts at ICD10monitor with code JULYFOURTH24 until July 4, 2024—start learning today!
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 1 with code CYBER25
CYBER WEEK IS HERE! Don’t miss your chance to get 20% off now until Dec. 2 with code CYBER24
