Exposure to sunlight, subsequent encounter

This code indicates that a patient is being seen for follow-up care or sequelae resulting from a previous exposure to sunlight. This could include ongoing treatment for sunburn, photo-dermatitis, or other adverse effects of solar radiation that were initially diagnosed and treated in a prior encounter.

Use this code when documenting subsequent visits for conditions directly attributable to sun exposure. Examples include a patient returning for a dressing change for a severe sunburn, follow-up on a blistering sunburn, or ongoing management of a photosensitivity reaction initially caused by sunlight.

• Always pair this code with an external cause code (e.g., W89.0XXA for exposure to sunlight) to fully describe the event.
• Ensure the primary diagnosis code reflects the specific condition being treated (e.g., L55.0 for sunburn of first degree).
• This "D" seventh character signifies a subsequent encounter, meaning the patient is receiving routine care during the healing or recovery phase.