Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Question: The physician documented that the patient has inadequate growth (in terms of his height, not his weight). What is the best diagnosis?

California Subscriber

Answer: Look to 783.43 (Short stature). As noted in the guidelines, you can report diagnosis 783.43 for patients who experience growth failure, growth retardation, lack of growth, or physical retardation. The code would also be appropriate for inadequate growth such as you describe.