Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Published on Thu Mar 17, 2011 PDF

Question: What diagnosis code applies to multiple chemical sensitivities?

Wyoming Subscriber

Answer: Before selecting a diagnosis, verify the patient's presenting symptoms (such as rash or burn). Then add a secondary diagnosis representing the chemicals the patient was exposed to, such as 692.4 (Contact dermatitis and other eczema; due to other chemical products) or 995.2x (Other and unspecified adverse effect of drug, medicinal and biological substance [due] to correct medicinal substance properly administered ...). If your physician doesn't determine the specific chemical, you can report V87.2 (Contact with and [suspected] exposure to other potentially hazardous chemicals).

Definition: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition characterized by symptoms the patient attributes to exposure to low levels of chemicals. Suspected substances can include smoke, pesticides, plastics, synthetic fabrics, and more.