Epistaxis

This code represents a nosebleed, which is an acute hemorrhage from the nostril, nasal cavity, or nasopharynx. It can range from a minor trickle to a significant flow of blood, originating from either the anterior or posterior nasal septum.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of epistaxis, regardless of the underlying cause. This code is appropriate for both spontaneous nosebleeds and those resulting from trauma or other medical conditions, when epistaxis is the primary reason for the encounter.

• Do not use this code if the epistaxis is a symptom of a more specific, definitive diagnosis (e.g., nasal fracture with hemorrhage).
• Consider sequencing this code as a secondary diagnosis if the primary reason for the encounter is treatment of an underlying condition causing the epistaxis.
• Ensure documentation specifies "epistaxis" or "nosebleed" rather than just "nasal bleeding" if a more specific cause is not identified.