Pulmonology Coding Alert

Don’t confuse this code with “psychogenic hiccough.”

A hiccough is an unintentional movement (spasm) of the diaphragm. The muscle is at the base of the lungs. The spasm is followed by quick closing of the vocal cords, which produces a distinctive sound.

Currently, you should submit ICD-9 code 786.8 (Hiccough). When ICD-10 goes into effect, you will instead report R06.6 (Hiccough) instead. That’s a one-to-one correlation. 

Beware: If you see the words “psychogenic hiccough” instead of just “hiccoughs,” then you should report F45.8 (Other somatoform disorders) instead. Code F45.8 is a part of Mental, Behavioral and Neurodevelopmental disorders (F01-F99). Therefore, don’t let this relatively simple code lull you into false confidence every time you read the word “Hiccough.”

Secondly, if the physician performs any kind of remedial procedure to cure a case of hiccoughs, you should carefully check the associated diagnoses and supporting documentation to verify medical necessity.