Pediatric 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?

Georgia 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 a pediatrician 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. usually support charging a medically necessary face-toface encounter.