Neovasc Inc. commented on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") development of new codes for the diagnosis and tracking of refractory angina. The new codes will be utilized in the current, 10th revision of the
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems Clinical Modification ("ICD-10-CM"). The latest update was published in the ICD-10-CM Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries 2023 Addenda and will be effective October 1, 2022. In total, nine new refractory angina codes were created. The primary new code, I20.2 Refractory Angina Pectoris, was supplemented with eight additional new codes describing refractory angina in
combination with various conditions pertaining to atherosclerosis or hardening of the heart's arteries. The new ICD-10-CM codes will help clinicians identify and accurately diagnose patients with refractory angina, a painful and debilitating condition that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen. Patients with refractory angina have a high incidence of hospitalization and resource use.