Wiki ICD-9 Coding for HIV Testing

[kt scott]

My students ask a LOT of questions, which is great because I get to learn from them as well.

This question is specific to HIV Testing, for someone who gets a needle stick. The first diagnosis code should be V73.89 for the screening. What about the follow up visits while continuing to be tested for the required period of time? V73.89 each time lab work is done? And follow up appts with the physician during the period of time - should those be coded to 795.71 (Inconclusive serologic test for HIV)?

Thank you,

Karen Scott, CPC, CPC-I

 

[dclark7]

Check the Official ICD-9-CM Guidelines for Coding and Reporting. There is a section on coding HIV and your questions are included there under the Chapter specific coding guidelines. I used to teach a coding and billing class also, this might be a good research lesson for your students, maybe see who can be the first one to find the answer in the guidelines, they should be printed somewhere in their ICD-9 books or they can access the guidelines at either the CDC or WHO websites.