Pulmonology Coding Alert
Pinpoint the Substance for Coding E-Cigarette Use
Question: What is the appropriate ICD-9-CM diagnosis code for a patient who uses electronic cigarettes? We don’t know if his cigarettes contain nicotine substance or not.
Delaware Subscriber
Answer: Electronic cigarettes vaporize E-liquids, which typically consist of a mixture of propylene glycol, glycerin, nicotine, and flavorings. Other types may have similar ingredients but without nicotine. You will have to use code 305.1 (Nondependent tobacco use disorder). Tobacco dependence includes cases where a person, for whom no other diagnosis is possible, has come under medical care because of the maladaptive effect of a drug on which he is dependent and that he has taken to the detriment of his health or social functioning. “Since electronic cigarettes are often used is smoking cessation programs, the patient likely has tobacco dependence. Another alternative to consider is V15.82 (Personal history of tobacco use), depending on completed patient cessation,” explains Carol Pohlig, BSN, RN, CPC, ACS, Senior Coding & Education Specialist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Pulmonology Coding Alert
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