Otolaryngology Coding Alert

Question: I see that ICD-9 2010 introduced new codes for personal history of inhaled steroid therapy (V87.44) and for personal history of systemic steroid therapy (V87.45). Could you explain when I might use these codes?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: You should use these codes for encounters when the personal history directly affects the patient's complaints or status.

You could use the V code to justify the need for laboratory or other diagnostic testing that an ENT uses for patients who are on chronic steroid therapy and have manifestations or side effects of treatment. These new personal history codes allow you to give a broader picture of the patient and the medical decision making.