2025 ICD-10-CM code Z79.52
(Active) Effective Date: N/A Factors influencing health status and contact with health services - Persons with potential health hazards related to family and personal history and certain conditions influencing health status (Z77-Z99) Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99) Feed
Long term (current) use of systemic steroids.
Medical necessity for long-term systemic steroid use must be clearly documented. This includes the diagnosis for which the steroids are prescribed, evidence of ongoing disease activity, and a rationale for why alternative treatments are not appropriate or effective.It's important to weigh the benefits of steroid treatment against the potential risks.
The provider is responsible for documenting the medical necessity of the long-term steroid use, including the underlying condition being treated and the patient's response to therapy.
- Chapter 21: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99)
- Z79.5, Long term (current) use of steroids
In simple words: This code indicates that the patient is currently taking steroid medications by mouth or injection, like prednisone or dexamethasone, for a long-term health problem.
This code indicates the patient is currently taking systemic steroids for a long-term condition.It excludes drug abuse and dependence (F11-F19) and drug use complicating pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (O99.32-).It is used for prophylactic purposes as well as therapeutic drug level monitoring (Z51.81).
Example 1: A patient with rheumatoid arthritis requires ongoing prednisone to manage inflammation., A patient with lupus is prescribed long-term systemic corticosteroids to control disease activity., A patient with an organ transplant takes systemic steroids to prevent organ rejection.
Documentation should include the specific type of systemic steroid being used, the dosage, the duration of therapy, the underlying condition being treated, and the patient's response to the medication. It's important to clearly distinguish between long-term use and short-term use of steroids.
** This code is exempt from the Present on Admission (POA) reporting requirement.
- Payment Status: Valid for Claim Submission
- Specialties:Rheumatology, Immunology, Endocrinology, Transplantation, Pulmonology, Dermatology, Oncology, etc.
- Place of Service:Office, Inpatient Hospital, Outpatient Hospital, etc.