r/CodingandBilling • u/LadyStumblebum • 5d ago

What codes are you using for Kratom?

Kratom is a big issue in our area lately, and we're coding more and more of it lately. Our providers tend to use F15 codes (other stimulant use/withdrawal etc). I've seen some use the opioid code for it, but I lean more towards the F19 for psychoactive....what do you use?

7 Upvotes

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10

u/MuhBrandy 5d ago

I agree with F19 for other psychoactive as Kratom isn’t an opioid or a stimulant.

2

u/Neat-Safety-2415 2d ago

same, F19 feels like the right call since it kinda straddles categories

1

u/MuhBrandy 2d ago

Yup it’s literally NEC

3

u/KeyStriking9763 RHIA, CDIP, CCS 5d ago

Haven’t seen this but would be a good question to send to coding clinic. I would go with other.

0

u/Psyking0 5d ago

Use the code the LPHA diagnoses them with. Otherwise it is not the billers call.

2

u/LadyStumblebum 5d ago

I'm not a biller, I'm a coder. And it's part of our job to code to the most accurate diagnoses that are supported by the documentation. That includes changing the code to reflect that, again, so long as it's supported by said documentation.

-2

u/Psyking0 5d ago

Only the LPHA can determine the F code. At least where I live. So coding it would depend on what the diagnosis is. Which can only be determined by the practitioner.

1

u/soulofmind 5d ago

That is the rule for California as an example, but not for every state

0

u/Psyking0 1d ago

It’s the law. And it applies to every state.

0

u/wildgreengirl 1d ago

i dont ever change them myself but i will send things back to query if i think theres a better code to use than what pcp chose and give them some more accurate codes to choose than say T14.8xxa i think it is? lmao the most generic injury dx ever linked with every description possible in our emr lol