HIV/AIDS ICD-9-CM: V08, 042 ICD-10: B20-B24

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a viral infection that can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These individuals mostly die from opportunistic infections or malignancies associated with the progressive failure of the immune system. Without treatment HIV will progress to AIDS after 10-15 years. Without antiretroviral therapy, death normally occurs within a year.

ICD-9-CM codes

V08 HIV positive NOS

This code is to be used when for HIV infection only to indicate that the disease has not progressed to advanced stage of AIDS. HIV positive patient will not manifest any opportunistic infections or symptoms unless the disease progresses to AIDS. So V08 is used untill the patient develops HIV related symptoms. Terms indicating HIV are HIV positive, known HIV, HIV test positive, HIV,

042 AIDS

Once the patient starts developing HIV related symptoms it indicates that the disease has progressed to AIDS and ICD-9-CM directs to use the code 042 for such conditions. In addition, the associated symptom or condition is also coded as secondary diagnosis. Once a patient developes AIDS then 042 should be used for further visits even if there is no documentation of associated symptoms or conditions. Some of the conditions that indicated that the disease has progressed to AIDS are Kaposi's Sarcoma and thrush. Some terms which also indicated AIDS are ARC and HIV infection symptomatic.

ICD-9-CM Codes for HIV Testing

V73.89 Other specified viral diseases
When a patient comes for HIV testing V73.89 is assigned as the principle diagnosis. If in addition to HIV testing the physician also counsels the patient regarding HIV then v65.44 is also used as secondary Dx.

If the test result is positive then V08 shoould be used and if the tests are inconclusive then 795.71 should be assigned.

795.71, Inconclusive serologic test for Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV].