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Coding visits for continued GLP-1 treatment of resolved oebsity

kimberagame

Networker
Messages
28
Location
CORVALLIS, OR
I'm curious what ideas you all have on the diagnoses to use when a patient no longer has a weight issue but continues to be managed on a maintenance dose of a GLP-1? I've read that as long as a condition continues to be treated, you should continue to code it as active. So, should these patients continue to get obesity diagnoses? That doesn't feel right, but perhaps it is and I just need to adjust my way of thinking. I of course also know that a condition that isn't present shouldn't be coded. But, if it's still being treated, I guess that allows for a bit of a loophole.

The only one I've had to manage so far, I've tried using the prescription renewal encounter code, Z76.0. I've never used this before, and from what I've read, it's often not covered well. I'm still waiting to see how it goes through.
 
If the condition continues to be treated, it still exists. So you would continue to code the obesity. Think about well-controlled diabetes.... HgA1C and serum glucose are perfect. No spikes or lows. Good diet. No complications. They continue to be on Insulin and/or metformin to continue to control the disease. We wouldn't remove DM from their diagnosis list unless they get to the point where they are no longer treated.
 
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