Extreme poverty

This code signifies a severe lack of financial resources, leading to an inability to meet basic human needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. It represents a profound socioeconomic deprivation that significantly impacts an individual's health and well-being.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states the patient is experiencing extreme poverty, or when the patient's living situation clearly demonstrates a severe and persistent lack of essential resources due to financial hardship. This may be identified through social work assessments, patient self-report, or physician notes detailing the patient's inability to afford necessities.

• Always ensure documentation clearly supports the "extreme" aspect of poverty, not just general low income.
• This code is typically used as a secondary diagnosis to provide context for other medical conditions.
• Avoid using this code if the patient's financial hardship is temporary or does not meet the threshold of "extreme" deprivation.