Report Vitamin D Drops for Infant, Not Parent
Question: How do I report a nursing infant receiving vitamin D drops? Our provider wants me to use Z39.1, but I’m wondering if there’s a better option. Mississippi Subscriber Answer: Although code Z39.1 (Encounter for care and examination of lactating mother) mentions lactation, it refers to the parent and not the infant patient, so it wouldn’t be appropriate when reporting the usage of vitamin D drops for the infant. Two options that might make more sense include E55.9 (Vitamin D deficiency, unspecified), which doesn’t list any age specifics in the descriptor, or Z29.8 (Encounter for other prophylactic measures). Other codes that may be relevant include either Z00.129 (Encounter for routine child health examination without abnormal findings) or Z76.2 (Encounter for health supervision and care of other healthy infant and child), depending on the context of the encounter. Rachel Dorrell, MA, MS, CPC-A, CPPM, Development Editor, AAPC
