Encounter for screening for osteoporosis

This code signifies a patient encounter specifically for the purpose of screening for osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones. It indicates that the patient is asymptomatic and the screening is being performed to detect the disease early.

This code is appropriate for encounters where a patient undergoes a bone density scan (e.g., DEXA scan) as part of a routine screening program or due to risk factors for osteoporosis, but without a current diagnosis of the condition. It should be used when the primary reason for the visit is proactive detection.

• Always sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when screening is the sole reason for the encounter.
• Do not use this code if the patient has a confirmed diagnosis of osteoporosis; instead, code the specific osteoporosis diagnosis.
• Consider adding secondary codes for any identified risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g., postmenopausal status, long-term corticosteroid use).