Premature status

Hi there-

What is the code for being born prematurely? The patient is now 17 years old. Is there a status code to indicate prematurity?

Thanks!

Pa Tang

re: Premature status

On the mother’s record, premature birth is classified to ICD-9-CM code 644.21. The coding notes under code 644.2 state, “Onset (spontaneous) of delivery, before 37 completed weeks of gestation” and “Premature labor with onset of delivery, before 37 completed weeks of gestation.” On the newborn’s record, prematurity is classified to code 765.1, and extreme immaturity is assigned to code 765.0.

Both codes require one of the following fifth-digit subclassifications:

0 — unspecified weight;

1 — less than 500 grams;

2 — 500 to 749 grams;

3 — 750 to 999 grams;

4 — 1,000 to 1,249 grams;

5 — 1,250 to 1,499 grams;

6 — 1,500 to 1,749 grams;

7 — 1,750 to 1,999 grams;

8 — 2,000 to 2,499 grams; or

9 — 2,500 grams and over.

re: Premature status

I tried to submit code 765.10 as the code but it's hitting up against an age edit stating that the patient's age is not appropriate for the diagnosis code. That's why I wondered if there was a V code or another code that describes the patient was born prematurely.
Thanks.

re: Premature status

There are also the 765.2x codes about the actual length of gestation. example 765.22 24 weeks gestation. for a 17 yr old, this would go into his past history. It should not affect his current visit to warrent putting it in his assessment. Even if he had cerebral palsy, the current diagnosis would be cerebral palsy and the fact that he was born premature would go into his past history.