The document discusses rosacea, including its possible causes, symptoms, and treatments. It examines the ICD-9-CM code for rosacea (695.3), explaining that this diagnostic code is important for insurance billing purposes and allows sufferers to receive treatment. The ICD system uses standardized medical terminology and codes worldwide, enabling health professionals globally to easily communicate about diseases and share patient information.

1. Running head: ICD-9-CM CODES AND ROSACEA 1
ICD-9-CM Codes and Rosacea
David Commini
Everglades University

2. ICD-9-CM CODES AND ROSACEA 2
Abstract
This short paper examines the possible causes of rosacea, as well as some of the symptoms of
this skin condition. In addition to talking about rosacea, this paper will also examine the ICD-9-CM
code for rosacea, how the ICD-9-CM codes are important to this condition, and why ICD-9-CM codes
are important overall.

3. ICD-9-CM CODES AND ROSACEA 3
ICD-9-CM Codes and Rosacea
The causes for rosacea are still unknown, though there are a few theories that are being tossed
around, most notably Demodex folliculorum – tiny microbes that are part of the human microbiome - a
surplus of which could cause a possible immune response ("Causes of Rosacea: Demodex Mites &
Microbes"). As there is no known cause for rosacea, there is also no known cure for rosacea, though
treatments to ease signs and symptoms are available in a variety of ways; if one suffers from rosacea
then they should speak with a dermatologist or their primary care doctor for proper treatment (“Medical
Therapy for Rosacea").
The ICD9 defines rosacea as, “A chronic erythematous skin disorder that affects the face. It is
characterized by the development of redness in the cheeks, nose, and/or forehead and telangiectasia.
Sometimes, the erythematous changes may involve the eyelids ("ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 695.3:
Rosacea").” Essentially rosacea is a reddening of the cheeks, though there are 4 different subtypes with
three varying in severity (subtype 1 being a redness of the cheeks, subtype 2 being bumps and pimples,
and subtype 3 being a thickening of skin), and the fourth affecting the eyes (“Medical Therapy for
Rosacea"). This redness can cause a lower self-esteem in rosacea suffers, as it is a very conspicuous
condition, “Other patients have very bothersome rosacea that causes them issues on a daily basis. There
are subsets of severe rosacea sufferers who have extreme psychological, social, and emotional
symptoms. Some have developed social phobias, causing them to cancel or leave situations when their
rosacea is flaring or active. (Cole, 2015)”
While it is important to discuss treatment with your physician there are a plethora of supposed
treatments that one can try at home that include green tea ice cubes, avoiding gluten, and coconut oil
applications ("It Works for Me"). Alternative treatments can meet with marginal success depending on
the severity of the condition, so it is probably best to consult with a physician before deciding on any

4. ICD-9-CM CODES AND ROSACEA 4
kind of treatment. Along with medical treatment, and alternative treatments, there is knowing what
triggers rosacea and avoiding those specific triggers. Triggers can vary from patient to patient, but
some top common triggers of rosacea include; sun exposure, emotional stress, hot weather, and
consuming alcohol ("Rosacea Triggers Survey").
The ICD-9-CM lists the Diagnosis Code for rosacea as 695.3, which falls under the Diagnosis Code
of 695, Erythematous (a redness of the skin) Conditions ("ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 695.3:
Rosacea"). The ICD-9-CM is the 9th version of the International Classification of Diseases which is,
“the standard diagnostic tool for epidemiology, health management and clinical purposes. This includes
the analysis of the general health situation of population groups. It is used to monitor the incidence and
prevalence of diseases and other health problems, proving a picture of the general health situation of
countries and populations ("International Classification of Diseases (ICD)").” The ICD-9-CM is a
Clinical Modification version - created by the US National Center for Health Sciences - that includes
codes for inpatient, outpatient, and primary care offices ("International Statistical Classification of
Diseases and Related Health Problems", 2015).
The ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code is important for sufferers of rosacea because the ICD-9-CM lists
synonyms of the skin condition, possible causes of the condition, that it can be treated, and most
importantly the Diagnosis Code is also a billable code. The reason that the Diagnosis Code being
billable is the most important (in this author's opinion) is due to the fact that sufferers will possibly
want to see a dermatologist to seek treatment; this code allows the patient (or doctor's office) to be able
to file a claim with insurance, and continue to receive treatment.
The ICD is published by the World Health Organization, meaning that it is used throughout the
world (most of the world already using the ICD-10 ("International Classification of Diseases (ICD)")).
The significance of this worldwide usage is huge; this means that most of the world is using the same

5. ICD-9-CM CODES AND ROSACEA 5
medical terminology as everywhere else. A sufferer of a certain condition can be certain that if they
seek treatment in another country that there will not be new names or terms for their specific condition.
The ICD, with it's widespread usage of the same medical terminology, means that health professionals
the world over are able to communicate with each other, share information concerning disease, and
share patient treatments across the globe.

6. ICD-9-CM CODES AND ROSACEA 6
References:
Causes of Rosacea: Demodex Mites & Microbes. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://rosacea.org/patients/causes/demodex
Cole, G. (2015, February 18). Rosacea Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - How are the telangiectasias (the
red lines) treated? - MedicineNet. Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.medicinenet.com/rosacea/page8.htm#what_effect_may_rosacea_have_on_a_
persons_life
ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 695.3 : Rosacea. (2015). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.icd9data.com/2015/Volume1/680-709/690-698/695/695.3.htm
International Classification of Diseases (ICD). (2015). Retrieved May 24, 2015, from
http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. (2015, April 28).
Retrieved May 24, 2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Statistical_Classification_of_Diseases_and_Related_
Health_Problems#ICD-9-CM
It Works for Me. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.rosacea.org/patients/itworksforme
Medical Therapy for Rosacea. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.rosacea.org/patients/managementoptions/medicaltherapy.php
Rosacea Triggers Survey. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.rosacea.org/patients/materials/triggersgraph.php

7. ICD-9-CM CODES AND ROSACEA 6
References:
Causes of Rosacea: Demodex Mites & Microbes. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://rosacea.org/patients/causes/demodex
Cole, G. (2015, February 18). Rosacea Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - How are the telangiectasias (the
red lines) treated? - MedicineNet. Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.medicinenet.com/rosacea/page8.htm#what_effect_may_rosacea_have_on_a_
persons_life
ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Code 695.3 : Rosacea. (2015). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.icd9data.com/2015/Volume1/680-709/690-698/695/695.3.htm
International Classification of Diseases (ICD). (2015). Retrieved May 24, 2015, from
http://www.who.int/classifications/icd/en/
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. (2015, April 28).
Retrieved May 24, 2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Statistical_Classification_of_Diseases_and_Related_
Health_Problems#ICD-9-CM
It Works for Me. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.rosacea.org/patients/itworksforme
Medical Therapy for Rosacea. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.rosacea.org/patients/managementoptions/medicaltherapy.php
Rosacea Triggers Survey. (n.d.). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from
http://www.rosacea.org/patients/materials/triggersgraph.php