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Pediatric Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Allergy Diagnosis Coding

Published on Fri Dec 01, 2000

Question: How should we code the diagnosis for allergy shots? We provide the shot only; the patients provide their serum. Should V07.1 (desensitization to allergens) be used as the primary diagnosis, and the allergen(s) to which the patient is allergic be the secondary diagnosis?

Minnesota Subscriber

Answer: You should use the appropriate allergy code first, and the V code as a secondary code. The child is receiving the immunotherapy because of an allergy that is affecting his or her health in some way. Using the allergy code first tells why the immunotherapy is being done.
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