Diagnosis Codes

[Delores Alleckson]

Hi Dr. Woeller,
My background is psychiatry so I am well acquainted with diagnosis codes pertaining to this area. I am in the process of transferring to the integrative medicine department, offering integrative psychiatry. My assessment includes both psychiatry and GI issues. I have been using the diagnosis Malabsorption Unspecified. The medical director has been questioning by diagnosis. I have contacted Great Plains for assistance in this regard. Unfortunately, I have not received any guidance. I am wondering if you have a source that I could refer to or if you have any suggestions.
Thank you in advance.

Dee Alleckson, APRN

[DrWoeller]

Dee,
The malabsorption codes seem to be very specific either to celiac or lactose intolerance. You would also need to research a specific condition like malasorption after surgery. I do not think I have every used a malabsorption code. I will typically use codes specific to their complaint such as constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea.

What test(s) are you using to diagnosis and use this code?

Dr. Woeller

Here is an outline for enteritis:

Noninfective enteritis and colitis K50-K52
Type 1 Excludes

irritable bowel syndrome (K58.-)
megacolon (K59.3-)

Includes
noninfective inflammatory bowel disease

Codes

K50 Crohn’s disease [regional enteritis]
K51 Ulcerative colitis
K52 Other and unspecified noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis

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