Wiki Using Z00.00 for Labs on Problem Visit

[aprie76]

If a patient comes in for medication refills for chronic conditions and the provider orders routine labs, is it okay to use Z00.00 as a diagnosis code if it is not the primary diagnosis? The office visit is 99214 and the chronic condition diagnosis are listed first. This is an ongoing debate in me department. My understanding is that Z00.00 can only be used when it is a well/preventive visit. If we remove Z00.00 from the claim, we do not have a code to cover the routine labs.

 

[nickelclaw]

use chronic condition with the Z79.--- if doctor mentions what drug is being refilled sometimes Z79.899 covers labs remember not to use this unless there isn't a more specific drug code and never use for OTC drugs or temporary drug use like 5 day antibiotic for an example. There is a dx for refill of meds also. Z76.0 would be primary then chronic condition and Z79.---- as secondary