ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Follow these 3 tips for successful coding now -- and later.The term "abdominal pain" includes a myriad of diagnosis possibilities, so don't just skim the surface and accept 789.00 (Abdominal pain; unspecified site). An "unspecified" diagnosis could equal no pay, so follow these tips for using more specific -- and more successfully paid -- diagnoses.1. Establish the Exact LocationFor ease of coding, the abdomen is divided into four areas, or quadrants, so it's easier to pinpoint areas. Imagine horizontal and vertical lines intersecting at the patient's bellybutton and you've created the quadrants. Then look for the letter "Q" in the documentation because this indicates the affected abdominal area as follows:RUQ -- Right upper quadrant, or 789.01 (Abdominal pain)LUQ -- Left upper quadrant, or 789.02RLQ -- Right lower quadrant, or 789.03LLQ -- Left lower quadrant, or 789.04If your documentation of abdominal pain mentions more than one location -- for example, LLQ and RLQ " you'll record 789.09 (Abdominal pain; [...]