Z79.4 diagnosis code: Long-term (current) use of insulin
The ICD-10 CM diagnosis code is used to designate Long term (current) use of insulin. It is under the parent chapter: Factors influencing health status and contact with health services. More specifically, it's under the code Z79: Long-term drug therapy (current).
This code is meant for patients with type 1 or type 2 Diabetes. Such patients will have to take insulin for the rest of their lives and do so consistently to avoid hyperglycemia (having too much glucose in the bloodstream).
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a lifelong disease that prevents the pancreas from making insulin, which is needed to regulate blood sugar and ensure it reaches the cells to produce energy.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus makes cells more resistant to insulin to the point that the insulin the pancreas produces can't compensate for the resistance.
Do note that healthcare professionals must follow coding practices as provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure accurate coding and billing.