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Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Determine OB Drug Screening Diagnoses and Requirements

Published on Tue Feb 14, 2012

Question: Our providers are now performing a qualitative drug screen in our office on all OB Patients. I have heard that we should use V71.09 (Other suspected mental condition) as the diagnosis on this as drug dependance is considered a mental condition. Is this the appropriate diagnosis?Also, even if we get a negative in the office, the providers are going to send to an outside lab for verification of the negative anyway. At this point, would the diagnosis remain the same, and would the codes not be the same since it would still be considered a qualitative d/t negative results? I think this will lead to insurance denials for duplicate billing.How should I report this?Georgia SubscriberAnswer: Careful there. The Supreme Court ruled in 2001 that you cannot do drug testing on pregnant women without their consent, so be sure you have it! Also, in some States, if you know the [...]
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