Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: What diagnosis code would be appropriate for the removal of a biliary stent, with no mention of complication?South Carolina SubscriberAnswer: Two possibilities exist. You may use diagnosis code V58.82 (Other specified procedures and aftercare; fitting and adjustment of nonvascular catheter, NEC) for this procedure.Another option: ICD-9 code V58.75 (Aftercare following surgery of the teeth, oral cavity and digestive system, NEC) is appropriate as well. The ICD-9 codes for disorders of the biliary tract (576.X) fall within the code range indicated for V58.75.Why V codes? All diagnosis codes are used to explain the purpose of an encounter with health services. The first part of the tabular list in ICD-9 (codes 001-999) covers diseases, injuries, and signs and symptoms. The key to using V codes is knowing when an illness exists and when the service is just the follow-up, staged removal of a device, or aftercare for a previous problem. You only code the patient's current diagnosis or the reason for the medical care, which sometimes means using a V code.-- Answers to You Be the Coder and Reader Questions were provided by Scott Groudine, MD, an Albany, N.Y., anesthesiologist; Marvel J. Hammer, RN, CPC, CCS-P, ACS-PM, CHCO, owner of MJH Consulting in Denver; and Kelly Dennis, MBA, CPC, ACS-AP, with Perfect Office Solutions of Leesburg, Fla.