ICD-9 Coding: Ring in the New Year with a Refresher of Alcohol Related Diagnoses

Why This Topic Matters

Alcohol-related visits can involve multiple diagnosis and screening considerations, and the article helps readers understand the scope of code families that may be relevant in emergency department documentation and billing review.

Article Sections

1. Patients who are brought in because they are impaired

   Discusses a common emergency department presentation involving acute impairment and the broad diagnosis family that may be relevant when alcohol use is a factor.

2. Patients whose condition is caused by long time alcohol abuse

   Reviews longer-term alcohol-related diagnosis groupings that may be associated with complications, mental status changes, or other related presentations in the ED.

3. Don't forget the V codes

   Covers selected V-code categories that may be used when alcohol-related factors affect health status or prompt screening and legal-related evaluation.

4. Is it time for an Intervention? Consider behavior change intervention codes

   Addresses general considerations for reporting screening and brief intervention services when alcohol use contributes to an emergency department encounter.