V & E codes

Are there times when I can't use a V code for a primary diagnosis?

Yes

What are E codes?

E codes are supplemental codes that capture the external cause of injury or poisoning, the intent and the place where the event occurred. E codes are intended to provide data for injury research and prevention strategies. E codes are never to be used as a primary diagnosis code.

V codes three other common categories?

1. Screening - V73-V82 2. Follow-up - V67 3. Genetics susceptibility - V84

Can V codes be used as a primary diagnosis?

Yes, unless otherwise specified in the code descriptor, V codes may be used as the primary diagnosis. Some V codes are required to be used as primary diagnosis, but only a few of these codes apply in the ED setting. (e.g. V70.4 Examination for medico-legal reasons, V71.x Observation and evaluation for suspected conditions not found). A V code may only be used as a contributing (secondary) diagnosis when it has a "code first" note with the description. Many commercial ICD books may note some V codes are an "unacceptable primary diagnosis" or can be a "secondary diagnosis only." This notation only applies to these codes for their use as a primary inpatient diagnosis and does not affect their use in the outpatient setting.

Main index entries for V codes in the alphabetic index vol. 2

1. Admission - Various V codes 2. Examination - V72 3. History - Personel V10-V15 Family V16-V19 4. Observation - Suspected conditions not found V71 (most commonly used) V89 (maternal/fetal) 5. After care - V51-V58 6. Problem - V60-V63 7. Status - V40-V49

Are E codes mandatory?

Use of E codes is generally not mandatory; however, their use may be mandatory in certain institutions and/or states.

What are some commonly used V codes in Emergency Medicine?

1) V71.4 Observation following other accident - a patient presenting after a motor vehicle accident but is uninjured, has no complaints or physical findings. 2) V71.5 Observation following alleged rape or seduction - examination of either the victim or culprit for evidence collection without any physical findings. 3) V70.4 Examination for medico-legal reason - patient brought by law enforcement for blood-alcohol test or jail clearance. 4) V55.1 Attention to artificial openings, gastrostomy - a patient is sent from nursing home because G-tube has fallen out and needs replacing. 5) V62.84 Suicidal ideation. 6) V62.85 Homicidal ideation. 7) V22.2 Incidental pregnancy (not primary Dx). 8) V65.5 Person with feared complaint not found. 9) V71.3 Observation following accident at work - has no complaints or physical findings. 10) V71.89 Observation for other suspected conditions. 11) V72.41 Negative pregnancy test. 12) V72.42 Positive pregnancy test. 13) V15.81 Non-compliance with medical treatment (not primary Dx). 14) V15.85 Exposure to potentially hazardous body fluids. 15) V58.31 Encounter for change or removal of surgical wound dressing. 16) V58.32 Encounter for removal of sutures.

Are V codes mandatory?

The Official Coding Guidelines do not differentiate the use of V codes from that of other codes (except E codes). V codes will most often be used to describe an encounter for testing or to identify a potential risk. They should not be used, however, when the diagnosis code includes the condition provided by the status/V code. Example 1: A patient with a ventricular-peritoneal shunt present to the ED with vomiting. After an appropriate evaluation it is determined that there is no shunt malfunction and that the vomiting was most likely due to a viral process. In this case the primary diagnosis would be 787.03 Vomiting. A secondary diagnosis of V45.2, presence of cerebrospinal fluid drainage device, would help support medical necessity for a workup to determine whether there was a shunt malfunction.

What are V codes?

V codes (codes V01-V91) are used to describe encounters with circumstances other than disease or injury. V codes are used either as a first listed (primary) or contributing (secondary) code depending on the situation. There are four primary situations for which V codes are used: 1) A person who is not currently sick or injured encounters the healthcare system for a specific reason (e.g., exposure to an infectious disease). 2) A person with a resolving injury/disease or a chronic condition requires aftercare specifically for that condition (e.g., suture removal, dressing change). 3) Circumstances or problems influence a person's health status, but are not themselves a current illness or injury (e.g., asymptomatic HIV status). 4) Newborns, to indicate birth status.