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Ob-Gyn Coding Alert

Reader Questions:

Equate Erythema With Vulvar Vestibulitis

Published on Sat May 09, 2009

Question: My ob-gyn treated a patient with "erythema of the vulva." How should I report this? Should I use 942.05? Massachusetts Subscriber Answer: No, you should not use 942.05 (Burn of trunk; unspecified degree; genitalia) because this is a burn code. What it is: Erythema of the vulva is a mixed infection of the vulvar epidermis and frequently the deeper structures. In these cases, the labia minora and majora are red and slightly swollen. Some physicians label this condition as vulvar vestibulitis (625.71). Ask your physician for clarification. If the ob-gyn is referring only to a reddening tissue of the vulva, however, treat this is a symptom. You won't find any exact ICD-9 code, so you would have to know if the physician considers this to an inflammatory or noninflammatory condition of the vulva.
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