ICD 10 Coding Alert
Here's What to Do For Rule Out Dx
Question: My ED physician saw a patient for anterior wall chest pain. After he checked him out, he suspected that the patient may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). He wrote the final diagnosis as “chest pain, rule out GERD.” I’m not sure what my principal diagnosis should be. What should I report?
Tennessee Subscriber
Answer: Your first code should be R07.89 (Anterior chest wall pain NOS). Codes that describe symptoms and signs are acceptable when your provider has not established a definitive diagnosis. For outpatient encounters, do not code diagnoses documented as “rule out.” You should code the condition to the highest degree of certainty for that encounter.
Reference: You should refer to the Official Coding Guidelines I.C.18.a, I.C.18.b and IV.H.
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Here's What to Do For Rule Out Dx
Question: My ED physician saw a patient for anterior wall chest pain. After he checked him [...]
