1. Diabetes Practice Liaison
Program (DPL)
Coding Diabetes MellitusCoding Diabetes Mellitus

2. Introduction
· Diabetes mellitus is a very dangerous
disease that affects as many as 16
million Americans. It is one of the
leading causes of death by disease.
· There are four types: Type 1, Type 2,
Gestational, and Other.

3. Diabetes Mellitus
· Type 1 Diabetes:
· Insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM)
· Juvenile diabetes
· Can occur at any age
· Occurs suddenly

4. Diabetes Mellitus
· Type 2 Diabetes:
· Non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM)
· Can occur at any age but most often in adults
over the age of 40
· Occurs gradually

5. Diabetes Mellitus
· Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM):
· Usually a temporary condition occurring
during pregnancy
· Can increase risk of developing diabetes later

6. Hyper/Hypoglycemia
· Hyperglycemia: Abnormally
high glucose levels
· Hypoglycemia: Abnormally low
glucose levels

7. Coding Diabetes
· Once a patient has been diagnosed
with diabetes mellitus:
· All codes require FIVE digits: 250.xx
· Almost always reported because diabetes
is a systemic disease

8. Coding Diabetes
Diabetes with manifestations will
always require at least TWO codes:
· First, the diabetes code: 250.xx
· Second, the manifestation code

9. Coding Diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus: Code category 250
· Fourth Digit (250.xx) will identify
the manifestation, if any.
· For example:
· 250.0x No manifestation
· 250.4x Renal manifestation
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10. Coding Diabetes
Fifth Digit (250.xx) will identify
the current status of the diabetes.
· The specific type of diabetes: Type 1 or
type 2
· Does the documentation specifically
state uncontrolled?
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11. Coding Sequence
· Diabetes Code (250.xx): Always
listed before any manifestation code
· If not the reason for the encounter, list
the diabetes code after the codes for
the reason.

12. Insulin Use
· When a patient with type 2 diabetes
uses regular insulin, code also:
· + V58.67 Long-term (current) use
of insulin
· Do not use this code with an individual
diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

13. Insulin Pumps
· Underdose due to malfunction of pump
OR
· Overdose due to malfunction of pump
· Add code:
996.57 Mechanical complication of
other specified prosthetic device,
implant, and graft, due to insulin
pump

14. Diabetes Insipidus
· Diabetes Insipidus: Disorder of
water metabolism; also known as
pituitary diabetes insipidus