Home Health ICD-9/ICD-10 Alert
READER QUESTIONS:
Base Code Choice On Care For Artificial Openings
Published on Sun May 06, 2007 
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Question: When is it appropriate to list a V55.x (Attention to artificial openings) code? What sort of care must we provide in order to list one of these codes instead of a V44.x (Artificial opening status) code? Answer: Use V55 codes when the agency is providing care related to the artificial opening--cleansing, flushing, changing the bag, teaching, etc.
Arizona Subscriber
If the agency is not providing any care to the artificial opening, then it is more appropriate to code for the artificial opening status using a V44 code.
Unless otherwise indicated, reader questions were answered by Lisa Selman-Holman, JD, BSN, RN, HCS-D, COS-C, consultant and principal of Selman-Holman & Associates in Denton, TX.
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