Ophthalmology and Optometry Coding Alert

Question: What is the proper ICD-9 code for patients with blepharitis?

Tennessee Subscriber

Answer: The correct code depends on the type of blepharitis. For these patients, choose from one of the following diagnoses, depending on the encounter notes:

• 373.00 -- Blepharitis, unspecified

• 373.01 -- Ulcerative blepharitis

• 373.02-- Squamous blepharitis.

Also: When selecting one of the above diagnoses, be sure your ophthalmologist is treating a patient with blepharitis, not blepharoconjunctivitis.

If notes indicate the patient has blepharoconjunctivitis, choose one of the following ICD-9 codes:

• 372.20 -- Blepharoconjunctivitis, unspecified

• 372.21 -- Angular blepharoconjunctivitis

• 372.22 -- Contact blepharoconjunctivitis.