Q: When the doctor writes type 1.5 diabetes treated as type 2, I’m told to code as type 2, just wanted to verify.
A: Per Coding Clinic, Third Quarter, 2018: Page 4, type 1.5 diabetes mellitus is assigned to category E13, Other specified diabetes mellitus. It is incorrect to code it as type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Q: How do you code for gestational diabetes controlled by injectable non-insulin medications? The codes allow for reporting of GDM controlled by diet, insulin, or oral hypoglycemic drugs, but the 2021 guidelines don’t address injectable non-insulin medication.
A: According to our clinical sources, it is clinically unfeasible that a patient with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) would be given an injectable non-insulin medication.
Q: How do you code for gestational diabetes controlled by injectable non-insulin medications? The codes allow for reporting of GDM controlled by diet, insulin, or oral hypoglycemic drugs, but the guidelines don’t address injectable non-insulin medication.
A: Haugen Consulting Group referenced clinical experts in obstetrical medicine and they stated that injectable non-insulin diabetic medications are contraindicated in pregnancy. It is highly unlikely that this type of diabetic control would be necessary in a pregnant patient.
Kristi Pollard, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CIRCC, AHIMA-Approved ICD-10-CM/PCS Trainer
Senior Consultant
Kristi has served the Colorado Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) as board Director, co-chair of the Data Quality Committee, and co-chair for the ICD-10 Task Force. She is also a past president of the Northern Colorado Health Information Management Association (NCHIMA). Kristi is the proud recipient of the 2011 AHIMA Triumph Award for Mentoring for her voluntary work as the “Coder Coach.” She has also received awards from CHIMA for Distinguished Member (2018) and Outstanding Volunteer (2013) and from AHIMA for Roundtable Achievement in Coding Excellence (RACE).
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