Neurosurgery Coding Alert

Question: Encounter notes indicate that a patient suffers from “POTS.” I’m not really sure what this acronym stands for, or the condition it represents. Can you help?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: POTS stands for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; report this condition with G90.A (Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome [POTS]). You might also see the condition referred to as chronic orthostatic intolerance or postural tachycardia syndrome.

More on condition: POTS occurs when autonomic nervous system is malfunctioning. This leads to problems with involuntary body functions, specifically the regulation of blood flow; when a person with POTS stands up, their heart rate jumps.

Symptoms of POTS include, but are not limited to:

• Tachycardia, especially upon standing
• Heart palpitations
• Lightheadedness or dizziness, especially upon standing
• Fainting or near-fainting episodes
• Headaches, especially upon standing
• Exercise intolerance.

Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC