Wiki insect bites

[jennmoseley22]

Can anyone help with clarification on how to code correctly code insect bites ? Should we be using S-codes , W codes or T-codes w/ another primary code for the infection ?

 

[Cynthia Hughes]

Can anyone help with clarification on how to code correctly code insect bites ? Should we be using S-codes , W codes or T-codes w/ another primary code for the infection ?

I will try. You have to look at the main term, bite, then the subterm for the body site of the bite(s), then superficial, then insect which leads to an S code. There are exceptions which include bites by venomous animals that begin with looking at venom in the Table of drugs and chemicals and then the type of animal and T codes for poisoning. The W codes are only for reporting an external cause that is not included in the injury code. An example of this would be reporting cellulitis due to a bug bite (L03.- code and W57.-). I hope that helps. Cindy