Pulmonology Coding Alert

Question: We have been coding J30.2 (Other seasonal allergic rhinitis) for our hay fever patients, but suddenly we’re getting denials for this. Is there a newer code?

North Carolina Subscriber

Answer: There isn’t necessarily a newer code, but there may be a more accurate code. Many people believe J30.2 is the only applicable hay fever code, but, in reality, it’s one of many that can describe a variety of conditions due to seasonal allergies.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis can occur in spring, summer, and early fall, and the typical causes are airborne mold spores, dust mites, or pollens from grass, trees, and weeds. However, J30.1 (Allergic rhinitis due to pollen) is a more appropriate code to report hay fever for a number of reasons. First, the ICD-10 index entry for hay fever refers you to J30.1. Additionally, “hay fever” is listed as one of the synonyms for J30.1. And finally, you would report J30.2 if the airborne mold spores or dust mites cause the condition; whereas you would report J30.1 for hay fever as the code specifically cites pollen as the cause.