Extreme poverty
ICD-10 Z59.5 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of extreme poverty.
Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $1.90 a day, which significantly impacts an individual's health status and access to healthcare services. Individuals in extreme poverty often face barriers such as inadequate nutrition, lack of stable housing, limited access to education, and insufficient healthcare resources. These factors contribute to a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, mental health issues, and increased mortality rates. Preventive care and screening are crucial for this population, as they often delay seeking medical attention due to financial constraints. Health services must be tailored to address the unique challenges faced by individuals in extreme poverty, including providing affordable care options and community resources. Effective documentation of Z59.5 is essential for understanding the social determinants of health and ensuring that appropriate preventive measures and aftercare are implemented.
Document social determinants impacting health, preventive care received, and follow-up plans.
Routine checkups for patients in poverty, screenings for chronic diseases, and aftercare for acute conditions.
Consideration of non-disease factors affecting health, such as housing instability and food insecurity.
Population-level data on health disparities, surveillance of health outcomes related to poverty.
Epidemiological studies assessing health impacts of poverty, community health initiatives targeting low-income populations.
Focus on health equity and access to care for marginalized communities.
Used for routine checkups in patients identified as living in extreme poverty.
Document social determinants impacting health and preventive services provided.
Primary care providers should assess barriers to care.
Z59.5 should be used when a patient's extreme poverty significantly impacts their health status or access to healthcare services, particularly in preventive and aftercare contexts.
