Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Question: I need help with a diagnosis for genetic screening prior to pregnancy. The patient had blood drawn for the screening, and I cannot determine which ICD-9 code to use. What should I report?

Indiana Subscriber

Answer: In this case, you should use V26.31 (Testing of female for genetic disease carrier status) for procreative management.

Watch out: Don’t confuse this code with V82.71 (Screening for genetic disease carrier status). You would use this code when you are screening to see if the patient carries the gene, and the situation does not involve procreative management.

ICD-10: When your diagnosis system changes, you should report Z31.430 (Encounter of female for testing for genetic disease carrier status for procreative management) instead of V26.31. For V82.71, you should report Z13.71 (Encounter for nonprocreative screening for genetic disease carrier status) instead.