ICD-10 Coding for Allergic Rhinitis Treated with Claritin (Loratadine)
The appropriate ICD-10 code depends on whether the allergic rhinitis is seasonal or perennial: use J30.1 for seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or J30.89 for perennial allergic rhinitis due to specific allergens like dust mites.
Primary ICD-10 Codes for Allergic Rhinitis
The diagnosis being treated with loratadine (Claritin) determines the code, not the medication itself:
- J30.1 - Allergic rhinitis due to pollen (seasonal allergic rhinitis/hay fever) 1
- J30.89 - Other allergic rhinitis (perennial allergic rhinitis, typically due to dust mites, pet dander, or mold) 1, 2
- J30.2 - Other seasonal allergic rhinitis 1
- J30.9 - Allergic rhinitis, unspecified (use only when seasonal vs. perennial cannot be determined) 1
Clinical Context for Code Selection
Loratadine is indicated for both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, so the ICD-10 code must reflect the specific clinical presentation 3:
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (J30.1): Symptoms occurring less than 4 consecutive days/week or less than 4 consecutive weeks/year, typically with edematous and pale turbinates on examination 1
Perennial allergic rhinitis (J30.89): Symptoms occurring more than 4 consecutive days/week and for more than 4 consecutive weeks/year, typically with erythematous and inflamed turbinates with serous secretions 1, 2
Key Documentation Requirements
To support proper coding, documentation should specify 1:
- Symptom pattern: Rhinorrhea (90% of cases), nasal congestion (94% of cases), sneezing, nasal itching, and ocular symptoms 1
- Allergen identification: Positive specific IgE testing to aeroallergens differentiates allergic from nonallergic rhinitis 1
- Temporal pattern: Intermittent vs. persistent symptoms determines seasonal vs. perennial classification 1
Common Coding Pitfalls
- Do not code based on the medication prescribed - loratadine treats both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis equally effectively 3, 2
- Avoid J30.9 (unspecified) when possible - obtain history to determine if symptoms are seasonal or year-round 1
- Do not confuse with nonallergic rhinitis - patients with nonallergic rhinitis have negative IgE testing and respond poorly to antihistamines like loratadine 3, 1