Question: I heard that we couldn't use the diagnosis code for novel H1N1 until some future date. What is the code, and when can we use it?
-- Florida Subscriber
Answer: As of Oct. 1, 2009, you can use 488.1 (Influenza due to identified novel H1N1 influenza virus) for diagnosed H1N1 cases. Also on Oct. 1, ICD-9 changed the 488 category definition from "Influenza due to identified avian influenza virus" to a broader definition: "Influenza due to certain identified influenza viruses."
Without a firm H1N1 diagnosis, you should stickto 487.x (Influenza). If the physician uses "suspected," "probable," or similar wording to describe the influenza, do not code the specified type.
