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ICD-10 Coding for History of Drug Abuse(F11.21, Z86.59)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for History of Drug Abuse. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Substance Use Disorder HistoryPast Drug Abuse

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to History of Drug Abuse

F10-F19Primary Range

Mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use

This range includes codes for substance use, abuse, dependence, and remission.

Personal history of other mental and behavioral disorders

Used for documenting resolved substance use disorders without current symptoms.

Family history of alcohol and drug abuse

Used for documenting family history impacting patient care.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
F11.21Opioid dependence, in remissionUse when opioid dependence is documented as in remission.
  • Provider documentation stating 'in remission'
  • Negative urine drug screen for opioids
Z86.59Personal history of other mental and behavioral disordersUse when documenting a resolved history of substance use without current symptoms.
  • Provider documentation of resolved substance use disorder

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for history of drug abuse

Essential facts and insights about History of Drug Abuse

The ICD-10 code for history of drug abuse is Z86.59, used for documenting resolved substance use disorders without current symptoms.

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for history of drug abuse

Opioid dependence, in remission
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Patient is in sustained remission from opioid dependence.

documentation Criteria

  • Provider notes 'in remission' status.

Applicable To

  • Opioid dependence in sustained remission

Excludes

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Provider documentation stating 'in remission'
  • Negative urine drug screen for opioids

Code-Specific Risks

  • Incorrectly coding as active dependence without remission documentation

Coding Notes

  • Ensure 'in remission' is explicitly documented by the provider.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Family history of alcohol and drug abuse

Z81.1
Use to document family history impacting care.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Opioid dependence, uncomplicated

F11.20
Use F11.20 if there is no documentation of remission.

Opioid dependence, in remission

F11.21
Use F11.21 if the condition is in remission, not resolved.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting History of Drug Abuse to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code F11.21.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment plans., Regulatory: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Financial: Potential for claim denials.

Mitigation Strategy

Educate providers on documentation requirements, Implement EHR prompts for remission status

Impact

Reimbursement: May result in incorrect DRG assignment and reimbursement issues., Compliance: Could lead to audit findings for inaccurate coding., Data Quality: Impacts the accuracy of patient health records.

Mitigation Strategy

Query the provider for clarification on remission status or resolution.

Impact

Lack of explicit remission documentation can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Train providers on the importance of documenting remission status.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for History of Drug Abuse, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for History of Drug Abuse

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for History of Drug Abuse. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Outpatient follow-up for substance use disorder

Specialty: Primary Care

Required Elements

  • Substance name
  • Remission status
  • Last use date
  • Current treatment plan

Example Documentation

Patient with history of cocaine dependence in sustained remission since 2022. No cravings reported. Urine drug screen negative for cocaine metabolites.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
History of drug abuse
Good Documentation Example
History of methamphetamine dependence in sustained remission, last use 6/2023
Explanation
The good example specifies the substance, remission status, and last use date.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for History of Drug Abuse? Ask your questions below.

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