Debbie has Type II diabetes, and has been working with her physician to develop diet and exercise techniques that help control her symptoms. Today her doctor also put her on a new medication, which may help control her blood sugar levels better. What is the correct ICD-9 code for Debbie’s diabetes?
Explanation
Answer: B - The correct ICD-9 code for Debbie’s diabetes is 250.00. All diabetes codes require a fifth digit in order to make them as specific as possible. This fifth digit indicates the type of diabetes the patient has, as well as if the diabetes is considered controlled or uncontrolled. In Debbie’s case, she has Type II diabetes, and even though it is poorly controlled, it is still considered controlled, so the correct diagnosis code is 250.00 (Diabetes Mellitus Without Mention of Complication, Type II, Not Stated as Uncontrolled).
