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Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Eye Allergies:

373.0, 375.15, or 372? Get Specifics on Eye Irritation to Find Best Dx Code

Published on Mon May 07, 2012

Scratch that spring allergy coding itch with this expert advice.Spring is here, which means you're probably seeing your share of patients with eyes irritated from allergies. What's the best diagnosis code? It depends on the specific condition.Get Specific With 3 Key ConditionsFor your claims to be processed successfully, you must report the most specific diagnosis code available for the patient's eye irritation. Most patients you see with eye irritations will have one of three major conditions:1. Blepharitis (373.0x): This is an inflammation of the eyelids, particularly at the lid margins, caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the skin, typically associated with a low-grade bacterial infection or a generalized skin condition.Blepharitis occurs in two forms: anterior and posterior blepharitis. The anterior type affects the outside front of the eyelid where the eyelashes are attached. The two most common causes are scalp dandruff and bacteria. Posterior blepharitis affects the inner eyelid [...]
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