Encounter for attn to oth artif openings of digestive tract

This code signifies a patient encounter focused on the routine care, maintenance, or assessment of an artificial opening created surgically in the digestive tract, excluding ostomies of the urinary tract or those specifically for feeding. This includes issues like stoma site irritation, leakage, or appliance changes for non-feeding digestive tract openings.

Use this code for follow-up visits related to a colostomy, ileostomy, or other surgically created digestive tract stoma when the primary reason for the encounter is attention to the opening itself, rather than a complication of the underlying disease or the stoma. This applies to routine care, assessment of stoma health, or management of minor, non-complicated issues.

• Always code the underlying condition requiring the artificial opening first, if applicable and still active.
• Do not use this code for complications of the stoma (e.g., infection, prolapse, obstruction); specific complication codes should be used instead.
• Distinguish from encounters for attention to gastrostomy or jejunostomy (Z43.1) which are for feeding purposes.