Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: What diagnosis code would I use if the patient is requesting labs for work?

Virginia Subscriber

Answer: For claims prior to October 1, you could go with V72.62 (Laboratory examination ordered as part of a routine general medical examination), V72.69 (Other laboratory examination), or if the tests were for screening for a particular disease, use the screening code that applies.  For instance, a nurse might need a screening test for tuberculosis prior to being hired and the code for this test would be V74.1 (Special screening examination for pulmonary tuberculosis). 

In ICD-10, the first two codes discussed in this question will not have an exact match, but you should look at:

• Z00.00, Encounter for general adult medical examination without abnormal findings
• Z00.01, Encounter for general adult medical examination with abnormal findings
• Z01.89, Encounter for other specified special examinations
• Z11.1, Encounter for screening for respiratory tuberculosis.