Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Reader question:

Overly Damaged Hair Could Mean 704.2

Published on Thu Mar 15, 2012

Question: A teenager came to our practice with a note saying she could not return to school due to the color of her hair (she had dyed it bright pink). The hair is extremely damaged and would possibly break off if she was to color it again too soon. The provider coded the diagnosis as 757.4, but that doesn't seem right. What would be appropriate?

California Subscriber

Answer: You're correct in thinking that 757.4 (Congenital anomalies of the integument; Specified anomalies of hair) is not your best choice, because it refers to congenital problems. A better option is 704.2 (Abnormalities of the hair).

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