Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: We’ve seen several patients whose records say they have “long COVID” but I’m not sure what code to use. Even if they don’t have an active COVID-19 infection, do I still use U09.9?

Arizona Subscriber

Answer: According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), use U09.9 (Post COVID-19 condition, unspecified) for a post COVID-19 condition, unspecified, such as long COVID. ICD-10-CM advises you to code first the specific condition related to COVID-19 if known, such as J96.1- (Chronic respiratory failure) or loss of smell or taste, R43.8 (Other disturbances of smell and taste). These are relatively new instructions for fiscal year 2022, which were updated on July 7, 2022.

Reminder: For current COVID-19 infection, use U07.1 (COVID-19) rather than U09.9. ICD-10-CM advises you to use an additional code to identify pneumonia or other manifestations, such as J12.82 (Pneumonia due to coronavirus disease 2019).

When a patient has a current COVID-19 infection but also suffers symptoms from a previous COVID-19 infection, use U09.9 and U07.1 together. CMS advises to be sure to add applicable signs and symptoms codes related to the active infection, such as R06.02 (Shortness of breath).

For more information, visit www.cms.gov/outreach-and-educationoutreachffsprovpartprogprovider-partnership-email-archive/2022-07-07-mlnc#_Toc107993810.