Child sexual exploitation, suspected, initial encounter

This code indicates a suspicion of child sexual exploitation identified during a patient encounter. It is used when there is reasonable concern or evidence suggesting that a child has been subjected to sexual exploitation, but a definitive diagnosis has not yet been established.

This code is appropriate for initial evaluations where a healthcare provider suspects child sexual exploitation based on physical findings, behavioral indicators, or reported concerns. It should be used when the patient is first presenting for care related to this potential issue, prior to any confirmed diagnosis or ongoing treatment.

• Always assign this code as a primary diagnosis when the suspicion of child sexual exploitation is the reason for the encounter.
• Do not use this code if child sexual exploitation has been definitively confirmed; refer to the confirmed abuse codes.
• Ensure proper documentation supports the "suspected" nature of the exploitation and the "initial encounter" for this specific issue.