Wiki coding PRN medicantions such as Tramadol as dependant

[Evelyn Kim]

We are having a discussion in our office about how to properly code drug dependancy. If a provider documents a medication such as Tramadol is being given to be taken PRN for pain, can he then code drug dependany if the patient is on the medicaion long term?

 

[mitchellde]

No therapeutically prescribed medications are to be coded with any of the F codes for drug dependency. As long as the provider prescribes the medication and the patient follows the directions, this is not a drug dependency, it is long term use of medications.

 

[CodingKing]

Th F codes are used when the patient is abusing drugs, not when taking as prescribed

I wonder if they will get around to adding an excludes 1 note on these codes?