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Wiki Question about V72.6 and V72.6

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audree20

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I am a coder for a radiology practice. A question has come up at work and I need help. Under Section 18 - V-codes, subsection 13 it states that V72.5 and V72.6 can be used as a special investigation if there is no symptom, sign or associated diagnosis given. The V code should be used with another code describing the reason for the non-routine test. Would I be able to use V72.5 and 486 for a chest xray if there is suspicion of pneumonia but no symptomsfor an inpatient? Another example, could we use V72.5 and 227.0 if patient presents...adrenal ademona - findings negative?

I hope I explained this enough for someone to give me an answer.

Thank you in advance,

Audrey Kelly, CPC
 
Audrey,
I code for radiology (don't have my ICD-9 book at home today) I used an online version and I can't see where it says that it should be used with another code describing the reason for the non-routine test. I think I just can't find it but I believe you that it says that. At any rate, I can defenitely tell you not to put 486 or 227.0 or any other condition. They want you to use another V code but when you put down 486 or anything like that you're saying the patient has pneumonia. I ran into the same problem with aftercare codes I use and I found out that it's okay if you don't always have a second V code. Sometimes there just isn't anything else and that's okay.
Hope that helps.
 
Thank you for a quick response. I thought that would be the case but I had to double check.

Audrey Kelly, CPC
 
v codes

audree20 said:
I am a coder for a radiology practice. A question has come up at work and I need help. Under Section 18 - V-codes, subsection 13 it states that V72.5 and V72.6 can be used as a special investigation if there is no symptom, sign or associated diagnosis given. The V code should be used with another code describing the reason for the non-routine test. Would I be able to use V72.5 and 486 for a chest xray if there is suspicion of pneumonia but no symptomsfor an inpatient? Another example, could we use V72.5 and 227.0 if patient presents...adrenal ademona - findings negative?

I hope I explained this enough for someone to give me an answer.

Thank you in advance,

Audrey Kelly, CPC
Click to expand...

I think you should not use the 486 or the 227.0 (this is saying the patient has this disease), but use only the V codes. The V72.5 and V72.6 according to the coding guidelines can be used as either first listed or additional diagnoses. I found this on page 21 of the ICD-9 CM 2009 physician. It lists all the V codes and where in the hierarchy you can list them. Very helpful guideline. I use it all the time. See what you think.

Anna
 
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