Tick bite

Is there a ICD9 code for a tick bite (disease carrying insect. Mosquito...). We have one for a non venomous insect bite, but are looking for this specific code.

Thank you

Tick

Use a code from the superficial injury section (910-919) that is specific to the anatomical site of the bite, this is non-venomous.

Why?

Your code for non-venomous insect bite is specific enough. There is no reason to get down to the species of insect, is there?

Tick bite

I think we need to be more specific, because we are drawing blood to check for Lymes. Our patient has a history of Lymes and has been bitten by ticks in the past.

secondary code

Add V12.09 for the personal history of Lyme disease, which is an infectious disease.

Tick bite

With a patient with a previous history of Lymes, how do account for a new exposure (New tick bite)?

tick

You code the injury, bite, nonvenomous by site for current bite

hey BigDog

the past history of Lyme has no influence on the current risk of Lyme from another bite. Coding the past history of Lyme with the V code may help you justify a higher office visit, with the extra counseling to allay the patient's fears but does not change the justification for the lab test at all.