Q&A: Reporting new ICD-9-CM code V40.31
HIM Connection, January 3, 2012
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Q. When may we report new ICD-9-CM code V40.31 (wandering in diseases classified elsewhere)? This code became effective October 1, 2011.
A. Coders should report code V40.31 when a patient’s wandering is clinically significant (i.e., it relates to an underlying disease or condition). For example, patients with Alzheimer’s disease (ICD-9-CM code 331.0) could leave their homes, wander away, and become lost. This behavior would likely require some type of intervention.
Other conditions that may be relevant and require this code include autism or pervasive developmental disorders (299.0-299.9); dementia, unspecified, with behavioral disturbance (294.21); or intellectual disabilities (317-319).
Coders should code the underlying disorder first, followed by code V40.31, when applicable. For more information, refer to Coding Clinic, Fourth Quarter 2011, p. 113.
Editor’s note: Nelly Leon-Chisen, RHIA, director of coding and classification for the American Hospital Association in Chicago, answered the previous question which originally appeared in the December issue of Briefings on Coding Compliance Strategies.
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