ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
Check for Exacerbation Before Choosing COPD Dx
Question: The diagnosis coding for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) confuses me. What separates the different COPD ICD-9 codes? North Carolina Subscriber Answer: The correct code will depend on whether the patient had a specified exacerbation along with the COPD. Report 491.21 (Obstructive chronic bronchitis; with [acute] exacerbation) for patients diagnosed with COPD who have had an exacerbation. Report 491.20 (Obstructive chronic bronchitis; without exacerbation) for patients diagnosed with COPD classified as obstructive "bronchitis" by the physician in the documentation/medical record, but without an exacerbation. When the physician does not fully classify the COPD, report 496 (Chronic airway obstruction, not elsewhere classified).
ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
- 4 Questions to Ask Before Choosing Debridement Codes
FAQ addresses coding conventions for wound care Patients who present to the ED or wound [...] - Clip and Save:
Explanations Ease Code Choice on Debridements
Medicare carrier lays out definitions for each type of debridement Does deciding between surgical debridement [...] - Instrumentation Provides Clues to Cerumen Removal Coding
Here's why that removal might be an E/M Patients who require cerumen (earwax) removal can [...] - You Be the Coder:
Burn Diagnosis Coding for Kids
Question: A parent brings a 9-year-old child into the ED with blistering burns to the [...] - Remember to Look for E/M Evidence on Cerumen Claims
If physician was involved, a separate E/M is possible When a patient reports to the [...] - Reader Questions:
Check for Exacerbation Before Choosing COPD Dx
Question: The diagnosis coding for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) confuses me. What separates the [...] - Reader Questions:
Be Precise With Jaw-Injury Diagnoses
Question: The ED physician treated a patient who had been in a motorcycle accident (the [...] - Reader Questions:
Use Notes to ID Fracture Treatment Type
Question: The ED physician performs closed treatment on a patient's ulnar shaft fracture. There are [...] - Reader Questions:
Look at Percentages to Decide on Morbid Obesity
Question: What distinguishes "obesity" from "morbid obesity"? North Carolina Subscriber Answer: ICD-9 defines morbid obesity [...]
