Z79.4

Z79.4 Diagnosis Code: Long term (current) use of insulin

The ICD-10 Z79.4 diagnosis code is used to designate Long term (current) use of insulin. This 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 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 makes cells more resistant to insulin to the point that the insulin the pancreas produces can’t compensate for the resistance.

Is Z79.4 billable?

Yes. This ICD-10 code is valid and billable.

‍

Clinical information about insulin:

Insulin is a type of hormone that the pancreas produces. This hormone does the following:

• Regulates blood sugar levels
• Regulates the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
• Stores glucose in the liver, muscles, and fat

A person with diabetes will require long-term use of insulin to help account for the impact this disease has on the body.

As mentioned earlier, Type 1 Diabetes impacts the pancreas so that it turns its own body against the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This prevents the pancreas from producing the necessary amounts of insulin to regulate blood sugar. Sometimes it prevents the pancreas from producing any insulin at all.

For Type 1 Diabetics, insulin is necessary for survival, and they will rely on insulin shots or pumps daily to avoid death and other complications caused by the lack of insulin.

People with Type 2 Diabetes still produce insulin, but the amount may lessen over time. The problem is that the cells become resistant to insulin. Treatment will involve getting enough insulin to account for the resistance. It’ll also involve lifestyle adjustments, changes, and even medicine that helps boost insulin production and sensitivity.

Synonyms include:

• Diabetic on insulin
• Diabetic on insulin and oral treatment
• Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus type 1B
• Insulin treated type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Long-term current use of insulin
• On subcutaneous insulin for diabetes mellitus
• Z79.4
• Z79.4 ICD 10
• ICD 10 Z79.4
• ICD 10 code Z79.4
• Z79.4 ICD 10 code

Other ICD-10 codes commonly used for insulin:

• T38.3X1A - Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter
• T38.3X1D - Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, accidental (unintentional), subsequent encounter
• T38.3X1S - Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, accidental (unintentional), sequela
• T38.3X2A - Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, intentional self-harm, initial encounter
• T38.3X2D - Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, intentional self-harm, subsequent encounter
• T38.3X2S - Poisoning by insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, intentional self-harm, sequela
• T38.3X5A - Adverse effect of insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, initial encounter
• T38.3X5D - Adverse effect of insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, subsequent encounter
• T38.3X5S - Adverse effect of insulin and oral hypoglycemic [antidiabetic] drugs, sequela

How can Carepatron help with your ICD-10 needs?

Carepatron has an abundance of ICD-related guides that you can read! Our ICD guides are up-to-date and provide the necessary information when determining what ICD-10 codes you should use for your patients, especially when you need to refresh about particular codes or if you’re unsure.

Our ICD guides will not only inform you about the general information about the ICD-10 codes, but they will also inform you about the proper search terms for specific issues.

The guides will also inform you about clinical information regarding the issues the codes cover and whether the codes you plan on using are billable.

Consider using our platform to help you prepare for ICD-10 coding processes, documentation, and billing!