Advanced Search

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Refresh Your ICD-9 Skills With These 3 Signs and Symptoms Code

Published on Mon Jul 11, 2011

Question: What code should I report when a patient presents with an upset stomach due to nervousness?Oregon SubscriberAnswer: For your primary diagnosis, you should code from Chapter 9 (Diseases of the Digestive System) of your ICD-9 manual for the upset stomach (536.8, Dyspepsia and other specified disorders of function of stomach). Then code from Chapter 16 (Symptoms, Signs, and Ill-Defined Conditions) of the manual with nervousness (799.21) as a secondary diagnosis. ICD-9 introduced 799.21 in 2010, along with two other symptom codes 799.22 (Irritability), and 799.23 (Impulsiveness). These codes provide a more definitive representation for these presenting signs and symptoms than their old counterparts.
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

View All