Medical Billable Codes

Exposure to Nonionizing Radiation ICD 10 Medical Codes for Exposure to nonionizing radiation – ICD-10-CM W90

“The ICD-10 code is the standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management & clinical purposes. It is used for medical code lookups by physicians, nurses, researchers, health information managers, medical billing coders, health information technology workers, insurers & patient organizations to classify diseases and other health problems recorded on many types of health records, including death certificates. ICD 10 codes are also used by medical billers & payers for reimbursement purposes.”

Medicare Accepted ICD-10 codes under W90 for Exposure to other nonionizing radiation. These codes can be used for all HIPAA-covered transactions. 

Accomodations and Legal Issues

This issue has become political, due to the billions and trillions of dollars at stake.   People are unable to live and work due to their symptoms. Some people are able to receive accommodations at work but many people are being denied. Legal action has been an important way to move forward.

U.S. Access Board Indoor Environmental Quality report on electromagnetic sensitivity and multiple chemical sensitivity recommendations.

A project of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) with funding support from The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board)

• “During the public comment period on the proposed rule, the Access Board received approximately 600 comments from individuals with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and electromagnetic sensitivities (EMS). They reported that chemicals released from products and materials used in construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings, electromagnetic fields, and inadequate ventilation are barriers that deny them access to most buildings.”
• “There are a significant number of people who are sensitive to chemicals and electromagnetic fields. Surveys conducted by the California and New Mexico Departments of Health and by medical researchers in North Carolina found 16 to 33 percent of the people interviewed reported that they are unusually sensitive to chemicals, and in the California and New Mexico health departments’ surveys 2 percent to 6 percent reported that they have been diagnosed as having multiple chemical sensitivities C. Miller and N. Ashford, “Multiple Chemical Intolerance and Indoor Air Quality,” in Indoor Air Quality Handbook Chapter 27.8 (McGraw-Hill 2001). Another California Department of Health Services survey has found that 3 percent of the people interviewed reported that they are unusually sensitive to electric appliances or power lines. P. LeVallois, et al., “Prevalence and Risk Factors of Self-Reported Hypersensitivity to Electromagnetic Fields in California,” in California EMF Program, “An Evaluation of the Possible Risks From Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs From Power Lines, Internal Wiring, Electrical Occupations and Appliances, Draft 3 for Public Comment, April 2001” Appendix 3.”
• “Individuals with multiple chemical sensitivities and electromagnetic sensitivities who submitted written comments and/or attended the public information meetings on the draft final rule, requested that the Access Board include provisions in the final rule to make buildings and facilities accessible for them.”
• “The Board has not included such provisions in their rules, but they have taken the commentary very seriously and acted upon it. As stated in the Background for its Final Rule Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; Recreation Facilities”
• “The Board recognizes that multiple chemical sensitivities and electromagnetic sensitivities may be considered disabilities under the ADA if they so severely impair the neurological, respiratory or other functions of an individual that it substantially limits one or more of the individual’s major life activities. The Board plans to closely examine the needs of this population, and undertake activities that address accessibility issues for these individuals.
• IEQ Indoor Environmental Quality Project link

USA Job Accommodation Network  of the Equal Opportunity Commission 

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) of the Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC), who governs whether employers are accommodating employees with ADA recognized disabilities, tells USA employers to look at to learn how to accommodate employees who have this Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) recognized disability. They now call it electrical sensitivity.

Read the JAN EEOC Page on Electrical Sensitivity HERE. 

US Job Accomodation Network/Equal Opportunity Commission Key Accommodations:

• “Allow communication via typewriter or handwritten notes rather than via computer or cover the computer with Plexiglas or other shielding material
• Provide headset/handset extenders or alternate headsets to lengthen the distance between devices that trigger symptoms and the employee’s body
• Change the employee’s shift to allow for less exposure to others’ devices
• Relocate workplace away from areas where symptoms are triggered.  This may include limiting certain types of devices in the vicinity of the employee’s workstation
• Allow telework
• Allow the employee to meet with others in areas where triggers are minimized or allow remote access to meetings or activities that must take place in areas that trigger symptoms.
• Provide wired telephones and network connections
• Provide building-wide and/or workspace shielding of equipment and devices, for example add filters to fluorescent lights and tape electrical cords.” 
• Accommodating Employees with Electrical Sensitivity
  • Questions to Consider:
  • Key Accommodations:
  • Accommodation Ideas:
  • Situations and Solutions:

Many people recieve accomodations at work in the USA. Some people need to go to court to get accomodations. Here are some examples. 

USA

2014:US Resident Provided Accomodations in Housing Case Regarding “Smart” Water Meters: Mechanical Meter For Resident PLUS Neighbors

2014; Los Angeles Unified School District Accommodated a Teacher Who Fell Ill After Wireless Installation.

On September 18, 2014, LAUSD, the second largest public school district in the US, officially accommodated teacher Ms. Anura Lawson by approving her request to have the Wi-Fi turned off in her classroom during the 2014-2015 school year and alternatively approving a reassignment to a different school site where Wi-Fi has yet to be installed.

Watch the video of her testimony to the LAUSD School District Here. Read her letter of accommodation here.

Peterborough, Canada

The City has an information sheet to help organizations accommodate individuals who have electromagnetic hypersensitivity. They recommend – among other things:

• Temporarily disable City owned WAP devices.
• Turn off or minimize fluorescent and LED.
• Notify attendees to set mobile phones to airplane mode.

2013, Court Case Won McDonald and Comcare 

• The AAT ruling means McDonald will continue to be paid 75% of his salary, as compensation for his illness. Read news coverage here

Montreal, Canada

A mother takes it to court: A Montreal lawyer has filed a discrimination complaint against the Public Health Department (PHD) of Montreal and the Quebec government who refuse to give him and his three children reasonable accommodations due to EHS. Read it here.

International 

France: 13 Plaintiffs Win: The Tribunal de Grand Instance of Bordeaux ordered in favor of 13 of the 206 plaintiffs who had initiated a lawsuit against the installation of the electric meter created by Enedis.

France: BBC News- French court recognizes EHS as a handicap: BBC NEWS

France: 12/2016: France orders removal of Smartmeter because of electromagnetic radiation

Spain: High Court of Madrid Ruling Recognizes “Electrosensitivity” as Grounds for Total Permanent Disability – Towards Better Health, 4th August 2016 Legal Ruling (in Spanish)

In Spain there have been multiple judgments in favor of people disabled by EMF exposure.