Wiki 796.0 vs 305.XX

[oskolkoff]

A pt had a positive urine drug screen in the office. The provider would like to use 796.0 as the dx. With a specific positive result, I feel that a 305.XX code is more accurate.

Is there a better description of 796.0? (ICD 9 is vague-Nonspecific abnormal toxicological findings, abnormal levels of heavy metal or drugs in blood, urine, or other tissue). When would you use this code? Wouldn't a "test" used to provide toxicological finds look for specific drug/heavy metal?

Thanks for the help.

 

[mitchellde]

Unless the provider documents a drug dependency then an isolated urine result of positive is an abnormal lab.