Problems with smell and taste

This code signifies a patient's reported or clinically observed impairment in their ability to perceive odors (anosmia, hyposmia) or tastes (ageusia, hypogeusia). It encompasses a range of sensory dysfunctions affecting the chemical senses, impacting quality of life and potentially indicating underlying medical conditions.

Apply this code when a patient presents with complaints of altered or absent smell or taste, such as after an upper respiratory infection, head trauma, or as a side effect of medication. It is appropriate for documenting these specific sensory deficits when a more precise etiology is not yet determined or is not separately coded.

• Always seek to code a more specific underlying cause if known and documented (e.g., traumatic anosmia, post-viral ageusia).
• This code is for the problem itself, not the cause.
• Consider if additional codes are needed to describe associated symptoms or conditions.