Wiki Z29.11

[cfitzgibbons]

when Is it appropriate to use Z29.11 - Encounter for prophylactic immunotherapy for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? My manager (non certified coder) insists that this be used when I am strictly billing Synagis and nothing else. She just became my manager and up until this point, I have been coding conditions that would make the patient susceptible to RSV, chronic lung disease, etc. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[MI_CODER]

I'm not familiar with coding Z29.11 at all. I've tried finding articles from Coding Clinic and the CMS ICD-10 guidelines but haven't had any luck. My opinion would be to code it as you've been coding it. I think any conditions that would make the patient susceptible to RSV would be acceptable to code. I'm assuming you'd list Z29.11 first and any supported diagnoses after? If so, then I feel that adding on extra diagnoses won't hurt. It just shows that there's multiple reasons why this patient is seeking prophylactic immunotherapy for RSV. Hope this helps!