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Observation for suspected abuse and neglect, Coding Clinic, Fourth Quarter 2000 Page: 54 to 55 Effective with discharges: October 1, 2000
Observation for suspected abuse and neglect
Code V71.8, Observation for other specified suspected conditions, has been expanded with two new codes. Code V71.81, Abuse and neglect, is to be used to identify cases where a patient is observed for suspected abuse or neglect, and it is ruled out. If the abuse or neglect were confirmed the appropriate code from either subcategory 995.5, Child maltreatment syndrome, or 995.8, Other specified adverse effects not elsewhere classified, would be assigned instead of V71.81. Code V71.89 is used to identify observation for all other suspected conditions.
As with the other observation codes, these new V codes may only be used as a first listed code.
V71 Observation for suspected medical
condition
V71.8 Observation for other specified
suspected conditions
V71.81 Abuse and neglect
V71.89 Other specified suspected
conditions
Question:
A 3-year-old child, the youngest of a family of three children, was brought for evaluation for suspected abuse. The child's older sibling had been severely beaten by the stepfather and the caseworker had requested that all the family's children be evaluated for abuse. After evaluation, examination and interviews with the child, it was determined that the 3-year-old had not been abused. What is the appropriate diagnosis code for this child?
Answer:
Assign code V71.81, Observation for other specified suspected conditions, abuse and neglect.