Find information on Diabetes Mellitus Screening, also known as DM Screening or Diabetes Screening. This resource offers guidance on diagnosis codes, clinical documentation requirements, and healthcare best practices for Diabetes Mellitus testing and screening. Learn about risk factors, diagnostic criteria, and medical coding for Diabetes Mellitus in a clinical setting. Improve your understanding of Diabetes screening guidelines and optimize your documentation for accurate coding and reimbursement.
Also known as
Encounter for screening for diabetes
Screening for diabetes mellitus.
Other abnormal glucose
Abnormal blood sugar findings, not elsewhere classified.
Factors influencing health status
Encounters for circumstances other than disease or injury.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the patient pregnant?
Yes
Is it gestational diabetes?
No
Is this a routine DM screening?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Screening for diabetes mellitus. |
| Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. |
| Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. |
Coding DM screening without specifying type (1, 2, or gestational) can lead to inaccurate risk adjustment and payment.
Incorrectly coding a screening result as a confirmed diabetes diagnosis can impact quality metrics and patient care.
Insufficient documentation supporting the medical necessity of the DM screening can trigger denials and compliance issues.
Q: What are the most current ADA recommendations for diabetes mellitus screening in asymptomatic adults?
A: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends screening for type 2 diabetes in asymptomatic adults with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 or ≥23 kg/m2 in Asian Americans) and one or more additional risk factors, such as physical inactivity, first-degree relative with diabetes, high-risk race/ethnicity (e.g., African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander), history of gestational diabetes or delivery of a baby weighing >9 lbs, hypertension (≥140/90 mmHg or on therapy for hypertension), HDL cholesterol level <35 mg/dL (0.90 mmol/L) or a triglyceride level >250 mg/dL (2.82 mmol/L), women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and history of cardiovascular disease. For all other asymptomatic adults, the ADA recommends starting screening at age 35. Screening should be repeated at least every 3 years if results are normal. Explore how S10.AI can help you implement these screening guidelines efficiently in your practice.
Q: How can I differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus during initial screening in a primary care setting?
A: While definitive diagnosis often requires further testing, several factors can help differentiate type 1 and type 2 diabetes during initial screening. Type 1 diabetes often presents acutely with symptoms like polyuria, polydipsia, and weight loss, and typically occurs in younger individuals. Type 2 diabetes, more common in adults, often has a more insidious onset and may be asymptomatic initially. Risk factors, such as family history and obesity, can also offer clues. Consider implementing age-appropriate screening tests like fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, or oral glucose tolerance test to assess initial risk and guide further investigation. Learn more about how S10.AI can facilitate accurate and timely differential diagnosis based on patient presentation and risk factors.
Patient presents for diabetes mellitus screening due to family history of type 2 diabetes and recent weight gain. Risk factors assessed include age, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity level. Patient reports no current symptoms of hyperglycemia such as polyuria, polydipsia, or polyphagia. Physical examination reveals a BMI of 31 kg/m2, classified as obese. Blood pressure and heart rate within normal limits. Initial screening performed with a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test. Results pending. Plan to discuss results with patient and recommend further evaluation with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) if FPG is elevated. Patient education provided on lifestyle modifications including diet, exercise, and weight management to reduce diabetes risk. Follow-up appointment scheduled to review results and discuss management plan based on diagnostic criteria. Differential diagnoses include prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and gestational diabetes if applicable. ICD-10 code Z13.1 for encounter for screening for diabetes mellitus will be used pending diagnostic confirmation. CPT code for the FPG test will be documented upon completion. Further coding will depend on subsequent diagnostic testing and management decisions.