When using Z codes whether Z79.82 Long term use of aspirin or Z88.0 Allergy status to penicillin, what is the appropriate use and what all is suggested documentation? In reviewing ICD10 Guidelines, I don't see anything specific? Once an allergy is established, are these ICD10 codes used for each visit? Same with Long term use of aspirin or only if it's been discussed, pertinent to visit and documented in detail?
-
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ & read the forum rules. To view all forums, post or create a new thread, you must be an AAPC Member. If you are a member and have already registered for member area and forum access, you can log in by clicking here. If you've forgotten your username or password use our password reminder tool. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below..
Wiki Inpatient and Outpatient Hospital use of ICD10 Z codes
- Thread starter lfrybvwc
- Start date
- Messages
- 7
- Best answers
- 0
Yes, these status codes (allergy as well as long term drug use) are applicable on each encounter.
thomas7331
Guest
The documentation requirement for Z codes is the same as with any other ICD-10 code - that the physician document that the condition is present at the time of the encounter - so you would not code them on every subsequent visit unless the provider continues to document that the condition still exists. ICD-10 guidelines do state that the codes should be treated or affect treatment in order to be reported, however many organizations, especially those who need to report conditions that affect risk adjustment, may have internal guidelines that vary from this and may not necessarily require that the physician discuss the condition as long as the documentation reflects that the condition is still active (e.g. it is a type of chronic condition that does not resolve, or if the patient is currently taking medications for it).