Pediatric Coding Alert

Question: I’ve been using B37.3 to report yeast infections, but the last claim I submitted was denied. Has something changed?

Texas Subscriber

Answer: On Oct. 1, 2022, ICD-10 made B37.3 (Candidiasis of vulva and vagina), a parent code to two more specific codes:

• B37.31 (Acute candidiasis of vulva and vagina)
• B37.32 (Chronic candidiasis of vulva and vagina)

This means B37.3 is no longer a billable code, and you’ll have to look for keywords within the notes to determine whether the practitioner’s diagnosis and documentation can accommodate this degree of specificity. According to the ICD-10 Committee notes (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd/March-2021-proposal-packet-508.pdf), chronic or “recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis” is “defined as 3-4 or more episodes of symptomatic infection within one year.” However, it’s up to the practitioner to determine whether the condition is chronic or acute. Always query the provider if this is not clear.