Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: When would I use Z79.899? And what do the terms “long term” and “current” mean in the code’s descriptor?

California Subscriber

Answer: You would use Z79.899 (Other long term (current) drug therapy) when, at the time of an encounter, a patient is taking a particular medication (satisfying the term “current”) and has been taking the medication over an extended period of time (satisfying the term “long term”). So, you would not use the code for a patient who has yet to be prescribed, or has only just begun using, the medication.

Additionally, thought there is no time period associated with the code, use of the code is generally reserved for medications used to treat chronic conditions or conditions that may not resolve any time soon. In other words, you would also not use Z79.899, or any of the Z79.- (Long term (current) drug therapy) codes for that matter, for a patient taking a medication to alleviate an acute, short-term illness that will resolve in the foreseeable future.

As an example, consider a patient who has been diagnosed with a condition such as anxiety or depression and who presenting for a recheck on their chronic condition. As the medications used to help control the conditions can cause some significant side effects, the pediatrician will want to monitor those effects on the patient’s body and mental status, possibly adjusting the medication’s dosage or frequency of use. In this case, you would be justified in using Z79.899.