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ICD-10 Coding for Food Allergy(Z91.010, T78.01XA)

Complete ICD-10-CM coding and documentation guide for Food Allergy. Includes clinical validation requirements, documentation requirements, and coding pitfalls.

Also known as:

Food HypersensitivityIgE-mediated Food Allergy

Related ICD-10 Code Ranges

Complete code families applicable to Food Allergy

Z91.01-Z91.018Primary Range

Personal history of allergy to food

Used for documenting known food allergies without current reaction.

Anaphylactic reaction due to food

Used for documenting acute anaphylactic reactions to food.

Urticaria due to food

Used for documenting urticaria as a symptom of food allergy.

Code Comparison: When to Use Each Code

Compare key differences between these codes to ensure accurate selection

CodeDescriptionWhen to UseKey Documentation
Z91.010Allergy to peanutsUse when documenting a known peanut allergy without current reaction.
  • Positive skin prick test
  • Elevated specific IgE levels
T78.01XAAnaphylactic reaction due to peanuts, initial encounterUse for initial encounter of anaphylactic reaction to peanuts.
  • Acute onset of symptoms such as hypotension, airway obstruction

Clinical Decision Support

Always review the patient's clinical documentation thoroughly. When in doubt, choose the more specific code and ensure documentation supports it.

Key Information: ICD-10 code for food allergy

Essential facts and insights about Food Allergy

The ICD-10 code for food allergy is Z91.01-, with specific codes for different allergens like peanuts (Z91.010).

Primary ICD-10-CM Codes for food allergy

Allergy to peanuts
Billable Code

Decision Criteria

clinical Criteria

  • Confirmed IgE-mediated allergy to peanuts

Applicable To

  • Peanut allergy

Excludes

  • Anaphylactic reaction due to peanuts (T78.01)

Clinical Validation Requirements

  • Positive skin prick test
  • Elevated specific IgE levels

Code-Specific Risks

  • Confusion with non-IgE mediated reactions

Coding Notes

  • Ensure allergen specificity is documented.

Ancillary Codes

Additional codes that should be used in conjunction with the main diagnosis codes when applicable.

Urticaria

L50.0
Use to document urticaria as a symptom of food allergy.

Wheezing

R06.02
Document wheezing as a symptom of anaphylaxis.

Differential Codes

Alternative codes to consider when ruling out similar conditions to the primary diagnosis.

Lactose intolerance

E73.0
Non-IgE mediated, gastrointestinal symptoms only.

Allergy to peanuts

Z91.010
Use when no acute reaction is present.

Documentation & Coding Risks

Avoid these common documentation and coding issues when documenting Food Allergy to ensure proper reimbursement, maintain compliance, and reduce audit risk. These guidelines are particularly important when using ICD-10 code Z91.010.

Impact

Clinical: May lead to inappropriate treatment plans., Regulatory: Potential for audit issues., Financial: Claims may be denied or delayed.

Mitigation Strategy

Review allergen specificity in documentation, Use detailed templates

Impact

Reimbursement: Incorrect coding may lead to claim denials., Compliance: Non-compliance with coding guidelines., Data Quality: Inaccurate patient records and statistics.

Mitigation Strategy

Ensure documentation specifies IgE-mediated allergy vs. intolerance.

Impact

Lack of specific allergen documentation can lead to audit findings.

Mitigation Strategy

Use detailed templates and ensure allergen specificity in records.

Documentation errors, coding pitfalls, and audit risks are interconnected aspects of medical coding and billing. Addressing all three areas helps ensure accurate coding, optimal reimbursement, and regulatory compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ICD-10 coding for Food Allergy, with expert answers to help guide accurate code selection and documentation.

Documentation Templates for Food Allergy

Use these documentation templates to ensure complete and accurate documentation for Food Allergy. These templates include all required elements for proper coding and billing.

Routine allergy follow-up

Specialty: Allergy and Immunology

Required Elements

  • Specific allergen
  • Reaction history
  • Diagnostic tests

Example Documentation

Patient has a known peanut allergy confirmed by skin prick test, last reaction involved urticaria and wheezing.

Examples: Poor vs. Good Documentation

Poor Documentation Example
Patient has food allergies.
Good Documentation Example
Patient has IgE-mediated allergy to peanuts confirmed by skin prick test, last reaction involved urticaria and wheezing.
Explanation
The good example provides specific allergen and reaction details, supporting accurate coding.

Need help with ICD-10 coding for Food Allergy? Ask your questions below.

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