Primary Care Coding Alert

Reader Question:

Inexact ICD-9 Code? Refer to Closest Diagnosis Equivalent

Question: My family physician saw a patient for "ciliary dyskinesia." This condition occurs in the nasal passages and leads to problems with chronic sinus infections. What diagnosis code should I report?South Carolina Subscriber Answer: You won't find an exact diagnosis code for this condition. Everything in ICD-9 about ciliary is linked to the eye, neoplasms, or syphilis. Therefore, you should use either chronic sinusitis (473.x) and/or 478.19 (Other diseases of the nasal cavity and sinuses).
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