Doctors are getting a billing system that's sure to cause headaches.

Introduced by the federal government, 70,000 new medical codes will describe diagnoses in detail.

Like this:

Crashed in a spacecraft? That's V95.41XA.

Walked into a lamppost? Twice? That's W220.2XD.

Others include, "Problems in relationship with in-laws..."

"Other contact with a squirrel ..."

And, "Underdosing of caffeine."

Not included: death via paperwork.

Copyright 2015 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.

Transcript

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

Good morning. I'm David Greene. Doctors are getting a billing system that's sure to cause headaches. 70,000 new medical codes introduced by the federal government will describe diagnoses in detail like this. Crashed in a spacecraft? That's V95.41XA. Walked into a lamppost twice? That's W220.2XD. Others include problems in relationship with in-laws, other contact with a squirrel and under dosing of caffeine. Not included - death by paperwork. You're listening to MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

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