Wiki history of blindness dx

[pjremmy]

For a pt being treated for glaucoma, would you include the Dx code for family history of blindness in the office visit? To reinforce the need for treatment? My co-worker says that is only used for hospital use.

Thank you.

 

[thomas7331]

For a pt being treated for glaucoma, would you include the Dx code for family history of blindness in the office visit? To reinforce the need for treatment? My co-worker says that is only used for hospital use.

Thank you.

If the physician has documented it and indicated that it is relevant to the encounter, then it should be coded. Your co-worker is mistaken if they've said this code is only for use by hospitals - that's not the case.

 

[Cheezum51]

If the glaucoma diagnosis has been made and patient is being treated, there is no need to also code the "history" code. Perhaps that may be appropriate for a glaucoma suspect patient but not one being actively treated.

Tom Cheezum, OD, CPC, COPC