Internal Medicine Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

You Need 4 Codes for Venom Injection

Question: How should I code an insect venom injection to treat anaphylaxis from a bee sting?

Kentucky Subscriber
 
Answer: As your primary diagnosis, you should list 989.5 (Toxic effect of other substances, chiefly nonmedicinal as to source; venom) because the venom triggered the patient's reaction. You should also use 995.0 (Certain adverse effects not elsewhere classified; other anaphylactic shock) to report the patient's anaphylaxis.
 
To identify the source of the anaphylactic syndrome, you should select E905.3 (Venomous animals and plants as the cause of poisoning and toxic reactions; hornets, wasps, and bees).
 
For the injection, be sure you choose 95130 (Professional services for allergen immunotherapy in prescribing physician's office or institution, including provision of allergenic extract; single stinging insect venom).

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