Polypharmacy ICD-10-CM Codes
Read this short guide and learn about polypharmacy ICD codes you can use. Discover billing and clinical information.
Fact Checked by Ericka Pingol.
What ICD-10 Codes are Used for Polypharmacy
There are no specific polypharmacy ICD codes you can use. However, you can employ the following codes instead:
- T88.7XXA - Unspecified adverse effect of drug or medicament, initial encounter
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to be suffering from an adverse effect of a drug or medicament. This can apply to polypharmacy. This also has an initial encounter label, which means the patient is receiving active treatment for the adverse effect of the drug/medicament.
- T88.7XXD - Unspecified adverse effect of drug or medicament, subsequent encounter
This is the same as Item 1, but this time, it has a subsequent encounter label. This means that the patient is currently in the recovery phase but is still being given active care for the problem.
- T88.7XXS - Unspecified adverse effect of drug or medicament, sequela
This is the same as Item 1, but this time, it has a sequela label. This means, at least in the context of this topic, the patient is dealing with the aftereffects of whatever the adverse effects of the drugs/medicaments were, so the sequela codes should be accompanied by two other ICD-10 codes, one of which should specify the sequela’s nature, while the other should describe its effects on the patient.
- Z91.89 - Other specified personal risk factors, not elsewhere classified
This ICD-10 code is meant to be used on a patient confirmed to be at risk of something. In the context of this topic, this can be used if the patient is at risk of polypharmacy based on whatever tests were conducted on them. This is unacceptable as a principal diagnosis because this is not exactly a condition. It simply explains what the patient is at risk of dealing with.
Are these polypharmacy ICD codes billable?
Yes. All of the aforementioned polypharmacy-related ICD-10 codes are valid and billable.
Clinical information
- Polypharmacy refers to the simultaneous use of multiple drugs by a single patient, especially when a healthcare provider does not coordinate the medications.
- It is most common among elderly patients who often have to manage multiple health conditions simultaneously.
- Polypharmacy can lead to harmful drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and increased healthcare costs.
- Not all instances of polypharmacy are problematic. Appropriate polypharmacy, where all medications are clinically justified, can be beneficial.
- It's crucial for healthcare providers to regularly review patients' medication regimens to reduce the risk of inappropriate polypharmacy.
- Patient education and empowerment are key strategies in managing polypharmacy effectively.
Synonyms include:
- Adverse drug interaction
- Adverse medication interaction with medication
- Fixed drug reaction
- Medication interaction
- Medication interaction potentiation
- At risk of polypharmacy
Commonly asked questions
As of now, there are no specific ICD codes with polypharmy in their names.
Healthcare professionals can refer to the Beers Criteria and the STOPP/START Criteria to deduce which medications have the highest risk of resulting in adverse effects when interacting with other medications, supplements, food, and beverages.
Healthcare professionals can curb/manage polypharmacy by deprescribing medication. They will deprescribe the number of medications that their patients should take. They do so by identifying which ones are not beneficial to their patients, especially in the long run, and then removing those from their treatment plan.
