Schizophrenia is a chronic, disabling brain disorder that affects more than one percent of the population. Your patient’s level of functioning may dramatically decrease due to the presence of delusions, hallucinations _auditory/visual/tactile, disorganized speech, and ability to complete activities of daily living. Symptoms usually persist for at least 6 months. Some patients previously diagnosed with Schizophrenia may be under the care of a psychiatrist. The patient may also have family members or friends help them to maintain stability in the community.
For members who present with psychotic symptoms and have not been diagnosed with Schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, refer the member to an in-network specialist who can further assess. Providers can follow these steps with their members:
Assess: Assess for current symptoms, as well as family history.
Refer _as needed: Refer the member to a mental health specialist/psychiatrist for further assessment and diagnosis.
Diagnose: Ensure the member’s diagnosis reflects the clinical documentation.
Coding and Documentation: Appropriate coding assists the member and other providers in determining the most appropriate treatment options.
Refer and Collaborate: Again, refer to the appropriate mental health specialists _therapists, psychiatrists, etc. and continue to collaborate closely with the treatment team to coordinate care.
Engage Support Systems: Encourage medication and treatment compliance by working with the member and their support system. You may also refer the member to Molina Healthcare’s Case Management Program for additional assistance.
ICD 10 Codes
*ICD 10 codes capture current symptoms, severity, and onset.
Paranoid Schizophrenia: F20.0
Schizoaffective Disorder, Depressive Type: F25.1
Clinical Tips
Patients with Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders typically have multiple people involved in their care. If your patient is not able to have a focused conversation, identify if there is a legal guardian/caregiver that you can speak with on the patient’s behalf. If not, try to obtain the patient’s permission to speak with a family member or friend.
To address medication non-compliance, review the pharmacy formulary for injectable medication options that may be appropriate for your patient.
Case Scenario
23 year old male presents for office visit with his girlfriend. During the visit, he appears to be listening to something unseen and whispers to self. His girlfriend indicates that she and patient’s family are worried because lately, he has refused to answer or make calls on his cell phone, claiming that if he does it will activate a deadly chip that was implanted in his brain by evil aliens. He accuses parents of conspiring with the aliens to have him killed so they can remove his brain and put it inside one of their own. Patient drinks beer occasionally but has never been known to abuse alcohol or use drugs. Over the past few weeks his family and friends have noticed increasingly bizarre behaviors. Maternal aunt has been in and out of psychiatric hospitals over the years due to erratic and bizarre behavior.
Assessment and Diagnosis: Patient experiencing first psychotic episode. Diagnosis of Schizophrenia, first episode, currently in acute episode can be made given patient's symptoms and family history _F20.9*, Schizophrenia, unspecified.
Plan: Start patient on Zyprexa 10 mg daily. Refer for psychiatric assessment and individual therapy. Consider partial hospitalization program.
**For specific Risk Adjustable codes related to Schizophrenia, contact
RAMP.Operations@MolinaHealthCare.Com
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