Coding for Cocaine Poisoning

Coding for Cocaine Poisoning

What do you do when the emergency department (ED) calls your cardiologist to care for a patient with cocaine poisoning? From October 1, 2010, a new code changes what you should report.

When ICD 9 codes 2011 go into effect on October 1, you can expect to see 970.81 available for when you need to report cocaine poisoning.

Get on top of this critical care scenario

Patients with cocaine poisoning can be very complex, extremely sick and are potential critical care cases.

Here’s an example: A 22-year-old patient comes with acute chest pain and hypertension. History reveals that he inhaled four lines of cocaine within the past hour and has been abusing cocaine for the past year. The doctor carries out and documents a comprehensive history and exam.

Diagnostics include a cardiac panel and drug screen and an ECG, reveals ST elevation in the anterior leads. Lab work shows elevated CPK (creatine phosphokinase) and troponin. The doctor treats the patient with intravenous Valium and starts him on a nitroglycerin drip. The doctor then admits the patient to the critical care unit with anterior wall ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to cocaine poisoning and hypertension. The doctor reports 45 minutes of critical care time.

Solution: You should report the following for this encounter: 99291, 970.81, 401.9

Check it out: For additional information on cardiology-related codes expected to go into effect October 1 and other ICD 9 codes 2011, sign up for a one-stop medical coding website. Such a site comes stocked with official guidelines and descriptors for ICD 9 codes. So sign up for one today!