Wiki Influenza-like illness

[mwinter17]

When a physician diagnosis the patient with influenza-like illness but does not run a test what is the correct way to code this. Would you use the J11.1 or would you code the symptoms?

 

[kdlberg]

"Influenza-like" should be treated the same as a possible diagnosis--that is to say, not coded in the outpatient setting. I would ask the provider if they just want to go ahead and call it flu (a test is not needed, as the provider's judgement is considered sufficient), in which case then yes, use J11.1. Otherwise, code the symptoms.