Screening for alcoholism

This code identifies encounters focused on proactively assessing an individual for the presence of alcohol abuse or dependence, even in the absence of overt symptoms. It signifies a preventive health measure aimed at early identification of problematic alcohol use.

Apply this code when a patient undergoes a routine screening for alcohol use disorders, such as during an annual physical examination or a wellness visit, and no definitive diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence has been established. It is appropriate for situations where the primary purpose of the visit is to screen for potential alcohol-related issues.

• Do not use this code if a definitive diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence is made; instead, code the specific alcohol disorder.
• This code is for screening purposes only and should not be used for diagnostic workups or treatment of established alcohol-related conditions.
• Consider using an additional code for any abnormal findings or positive screens that require further investigation.