Ok we went to Mason's psych today...we see her every 2 weeks...this is the same dr that has talked to me a lot about bipolar and suggested different books to read.
Here is my confusion. She gave me some paperwork for Mason to have some routine blood work done that goes along with his meds. On there she wrote 2 dx codes...so out of curiousity I went online to look them up...the first is 314.9-unspecified hyperkinetic syndrome...from what I am finding online it is classified with the ADD/ADHD dx's. Why not just dx him ADHD then? The second is 312.9-unspecified disturbance of conduct...which keeps bringing me to adjustment disorders. In that info I am finding a lot of things where it talks about being related to something stress related causing this and usually only last around 6 months, although I did not find anything directly related to UNSPECIFIED disturbance of conduct.
Now I see a lot of Mason in these descriptions etc, but again why is she putting these dx codes down...she is the one that referred us to the psychologist to get the autism eval done. Why doesn't she use that as her dx code? Where is this bipolar that she keeps talking to me about?
I am so confused again...is she doubting autism? What do these codes actually mean? And why are there so many, lol? Am I just making too much out of this?
Anyone else have soooo many different dx codes to deal with--I mean every dr we see uses different dx codes...Is this showing that none of his dr's are on the same page? I should have never looked...UGH!
Just a guess.
ADHD is considered "developmental," isn't it?
As my doc explained it to me. These codes are more recognized by insurance companies, and she probably had your feelings in mind and used the codes instead of just a simple dx. But then I have been to alot of doctors that ONLY use codes under the dx section, and I always have to come home and look them up, just like you did. If Mason does in deed have ADD/ADHD (and I know from personal experience) they tend to have different kinds of disturbance of conduct. I went through this with Skylar and the way it turned out for us (not saying that it will be that way for Mason), but his ADHD was very severe. Which in turn explained the disturbance of conduct.Thanks Linda--I suppose that could be the reason...seems to me more ppl know what ADHD is rather than hyperkinetic syndrome, but we have actually tried some ADHD meds with Mason and they didn't work...I suppose if he is dx'd with that they might only cover the specific drugs to that dx...with this dx maybe she can get more of a drug allowance. Makes sense to me, lol. A lot of sense actually.
ETA:Thanks Mandy--I missed your post before this one came up.
Once again I worry myself and start second guessing everything. I need to learn to just go with the flow!
There are certain icd codes that have to be used inorder for insurance company's to pay for particular test or services ordered by your physician. The physician cannot legally use an icd code which does not apply to the person but somethimes they have to use the appropriate code to get the services paid for. With our insurance, if a doctor uses any type of code for autism or developmental delay it will not be paid for by our insurance carrier because they do not cover developemental delays. However, they will cover a pediatric neuro developmental examination. So don't concentrate on these icd codes. Get an official dx from your doctor.
No. You are ASKING QUESTIONS, and that is GOOD! KEEP ASKING!!!
The doc probably assumed she did not need to explain her usage to you (although I DO have a great therapist, who did, which is why I thought of that right off the bat), that you would not wonder.
I guess she under estimated my power of the internet, lol.
But I will bring it up next time I see her, just tell her I looked it up, wondered what it meant, and bring up what you all said about insurance.
Thanks all for easing my mind!
Shelley--Yes, Mason's psych does similar things as the above posters. There are times I get frustrated with her because Mason's meds don't seem to be working the way I was expecting or the progress and process seems sooooo slow, but I have actually been talking and checking around and I realize that she is very good with Mason. She gives us lots of resources and advice on how to deal with certain behaviors and actually just told me about an upcoming social skills class (for teachers) but told me she would sign me up to go...it's supposed to give us good ideas on how to promote those good social skills and help us understand where the problems could be...I'm actually pretty excited about it!
There are some psychs out there that apparently just push meds, no advice, no resources, not even much reasoning for the meds--our dr has always been so good with explaining why she is choosing which meds over others, although I can say sometimes I don't know exactly what she is talking about.
So overall, even though I do complain and question her at times (hey give me a break, I'm a mom, lol) she has been very valuable in helping Mason over the last 8 months or so...we are definitely heading in the right direction compared to where we were a year ago!
Niki
We have never gone to a psych before at all..what does she do? Sarah doesnt need meds but is behind socially..just curious if this is a resource for her? It would be nice to have some kind of therapy that insurance pays for:)
Shelley--ours helps w/ behavioral concerns/issues & social problems as