Identify Which Systems Are Affected by Hantavirus Before Coding
Question: What are the codes to assign for a hantavirus diagnosis? Revenue Cycle Insider Subscriber Answer: The ICD-10-CM code set includes two codes designated for hantavirus diagnoses. The difference between the two codes depends on whether the patient’s respiratory or renal systems are affected. In the Alphabetic Index, search for Hantavirus disease to locate codes for “with renal manifestations” or “with pulmonary manifestations.” Verify the codes in the Tabular List. You’ll assign B33.4 (Hantavirus (cardio)-pulmonary syndrome [HPS] [HCPS]) for hantavirus with cardiopulmonary syndrome (HPS or HCPS). The documented diagnosis may also include a specific location, such as Andes hantavirus, which you’ll find associated with the hantavirus term in the Alphabetic Index. Code B33.4 covers other diagnosis terms like the following: If the physician documents that the patient is also experiencing acute kidney failure, ICD-10-CM instructs you to use an additional code like N17.9 (Acute kidney failure, unspecified) to report the additional condition. HPS symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle aches, gastrointestinal symptoms, abdominal pain, headache, and dizziness. As the disease develops, the patient may also experience chest tightness, dyspnea, and cough. Use A98.5 (Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome) when the provider confirms a hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). Other terms for this condition may include: Common HFRS symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, headache, back and abdominal pain, vision problems, flushing of face, rash, and redness of the eyes. Patients could also experience extremely low blood pressure, leakage of fluids from the capillaries, and acute kidney failure as complications from the disease. Mike Shaughnessy, BA, CPC, Production Editor, AAPC
