Learn the ICD-10 Codes to Code Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Learn the ICD-10 Codes to Code Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) that refers to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy has to be accurately coded using the correct ICD-10 codes.

Summary - Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) that refers to high blood sugar levels during pregnancy has to be accurately coded using the correct ICD-10 codes.

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Gestational diabetes is a condition of abnormally raised blood sugar levels that develops during pregnancy (gestation). Also called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), this condition occurs when your body cannot produce enough insulin - (a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels) to meet the extra needs during pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), GDM is estimated to occur in 2 to 10 percent of pregnancies in the United States. The condition normally develops between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. Generally, women with GDM experience no specific symptoms and even if they do experience any symptoms, they will most likely be mild. These symptoms include - blurred vision, snoring, excessive thirst, frequent tendency to urinate; dry mouth, and fatigue. If left untreated, GDM can raise the child’s risk of developing diabetes and cause severe complications like premature birth and stillbirth.

Medical billing and coding for gestational diabetes is complex due to its associated

manifestations.

For

correct

clinical

documentation

of

this

disorder, physicians can consider medical coding outsourcing services.

In gestational diabetes, blood sugar may return to a normal level soon after delivery. However, this condition can raise a woman’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future. Expectant women can better manage and control this condition by eating healthy food, doing regular exercise and taking medications (if necessary). Controlling blood sugar can prevent birth complications and keep both the mother and baby healthy during pregnancy and after delivery.

What Causes Gestational Diabetes?

The exact cause of this type of diabetes is not known, though hormones are most likely to play a significant role. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body produces larger amounts of hormones like human placental lactogen (hPL) and other hormones that increase insulin resistance. Over time, the

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level of these hormones may increase and make the body more resistant to insulin. Women are at high risk of developing this condition if they 

Are above the age of 25 years



Have a family history of GDM



Had gestational diabetes in the past



Gain a larger than normal amount of weight while being pregnant



Were already overweight before they became pregnant



Had an unexplained miscarriage or stillbirth



Have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), acanthosis nigricans, or other conditions that are associated with insulin resistance



Have been on glucocorticoids

Diagnosis and Treatment In most cases, gestational diabetes may occur during the second half of pregnancy. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) encourages physicians to routinely screen pregnant women to check for signs of gestational diabetes. For women with a previous history of diabetes and normal blood sugar levels at the beginning of their pregnancy will be screened for gestational diabetes at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Diagnosis of this condition will normally begin with a glucose challenge test where in pregnant women may need to drink a glucose solution. A blood test will be conducted after one hour of drinking this glucose solution. If the blood sugar level is high, physicians may perform a three-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This is considered a two-step testing. If at least two of the blood sugar readings are higher than normal, women may be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Physicians will most probably recommend frequent checkups, especially during the last three months of pregnancy. During these exams, the doctor

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will monitor the patient’s blood sugar levels. Regular and correct monitoring of blood sugar levels is one of the basic steps of the treatment plan.

Physicians will advise patients to regularly test blood sugar before and after meals and better manage their condition by eating healthy food and exercising regularly. Regular body exercise plays a prominent role in every woman's wellness plan before, during and after pregnancy. Exercise lowers blood sugar by stimulating the body to move glucose into the cells. In addition, regular exercise can also help reduce some discomforts of pregnancy, including back pain, muscle cramps, swelling, and constipation.

If diet and exercise are not enough, women may need to take insulin injections to reduce their blood sugar. Reports from the Mayo Clinic suggest that only 10 to 20 percent of women with gestational diabetes need insulin to help control their blood sugar.

Endocrinology medical coding involves using the specific ICD-10 diagnosis codes for reporting gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the medical claims physicians submit to health insurers for reimbursement.

ICD-10 codes for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) O24 - Diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium O24.0

-

Pre-existing

type

1

diabetes

mellitus,

in

pregnancy,

childbirth and the puerperium O24.01 - Pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy  O24.011 - Pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy, first trimester  O24.012 - Pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy, second trimester  O24.013 - Pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy, third trimester www.outsourcestrategies.com

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 O24.019 - Pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy, unspecified trimester O24.02 - Pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus, in childbirth O24.03 - Pre-existing type 1 diabetes mellitus, in the puerperium O24.1

-

Pre-existing

type

2

diabetes

mellitus,

in

pregnancy,

childbirth and the puerperium O24.11 - Pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy  O24.111 - Pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy, first trimester  O24.112 - Pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy, second trimester  O24.113 - Pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy, third trimester  O24.119 - Pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus, in pregnancy, unspecified trimester O24.12 - Pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus, in childbirth O24.13 - Pre-existing type 2 diabetes mellitus, in the puerperium O24.3 - Unspecified pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium O24.31 - Unspecified pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy  O24.311 - Unspecified pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, first trimester  O24.312 - Unspecified pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, second trimester

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 O24.313 - Unspecified pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, third trimester  O24.319 - Unspecified pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, unspecified trimester O24.32 - Unspecified pre-existing diabetes mellitus in childbirth O24.33

-

Unspecified

pre-existing

diabetes

mellitus

in

the

by

oral

puerperium O24.4 - Gestational diabetes mellitus O24.41 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in pregnancy  O24.410 - Gestational diabetes mellitus, diet controlled  O24.414 - Gestational diabetes mellitus, insulin controlled  O24.415

-

Gestational

diabetes

mellitus,

controlled

hypoglycemic drugs  O24.419 - Gestational diabetes mellitus, unspecified control O24.42 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in childbirth  O24.420 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in childbirth, diet controlled  O24.424 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in childbirth, insulin controlled  O24.425 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in childbirth, controlled by oral hypoglycemic drugs  O24.429 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in childbirth, unspecified control O24.43 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in the puerperium  O24.430 Gestational diabetes mellitus in the puerperium, diet controlled

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 O24.434 Gestational diabetes mellitus in the puerperium, insulin controlled  O24.435 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in puerperium, controlled by oral hypoglycemic drugs  O24.439 - Gestational diabetes mellitus in puerperium, controlled by oral hypoglycemic drugs, unspecified control O24.8 - Other pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium O24.81 - Other pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy  O24.811 Other pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, first trimester  O24.812 Other pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, second trimester  O24.813 Other pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, third trimester  O24.819 Other pre-existing diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, unspecified trimester O24.82 - Other pre-existing diabetes mellitus in childbirth O24.83 - Other pre-existing diabetes mellitus in the puerperium O24.9 - Unspecified diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium O24.91 - Unspecified diabetes mellitus in pregnancy  O24.911 - Unspecified diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, first trimester  O24.912 - Unspecified diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, second trimester

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ďƒ˜ O24.913 - Unspecified diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, third trimester ďƒ˜ O24.919

-

Unspecified

diabetes

mellitus

in

pregnancy,

unspecified trimester O24.92 - Unspecified diabetes mellitus in childbirth O24.93 - Unspecified diabetes mellitus in the puerperium Preventing gestational diabetes fully is always not possible. However, by following healthy lifestyle habits pregnant women can reduce the chances of developing this condition early. Pregnant women need to fully understand the potential risk factors associated with the condition and undertake steps to reduce the same. As obesity is a major risk factor for GDM, combining a healthy diet with regular body exercise may be beneficial. Even losing a small amount of weight can make a huge difference and reduce your risk of gestational diabetes.

Medical coding for gestational diabetes can be complex. By outsourcing medical coding to a reliable medical billing and coding outsourcing company (that provides the services of AAPC-certified coding specialists), healthcare practices

can

ensure

correct

and timely

medical

billing and claims

submission.

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