Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert
READER QUESTION ~ Talk Through 'Cognitive Deficits' Diagnosis
Question: Our neurologist is treating a patient for seizures that he considers -cognitive deficits.- The patient is not at the level I would normally code as mentally retarded. What diagnosis should I use? Answer: ICD-9 includes a new diagnosis this year that might apply to this case: 331.83 (Mild cognitive impairment, so stated). The descriptor lists quite a few
Pennsylvania Subscriber
exclusions, however (such as 310.8, Mild memory disturbance; and 780.97, Change in mental status), so read the list carefully before automatically reporting it.
Other options pertain to neurologic deficit: 781.99 (Other symptoms involving nervous and musculoskeletal systems), 436 (Acute, but ill-defined, cerebrovascular disease), 435.9 (Unspecified transient cerebral ischemia), and 438.xx (Late effects of cerebrovascular disease).
Narrow your coding options by studying your physician's documentation. Use those details to help determine the best-fitting diagnosis.
Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert
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Caution: You might not be able to track who makes changes With new technology emerging [...] - YOU BE THE CODER ~ Reporting Multiple Wakefulness Test
Question: How should I code a multiple wakefulness test?
Arizona Subscriber
Answer: Physicians rely on a [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Details Dictate 'New Onset Seizure' Diagnosis
Question: How should I code -new onset seizure-? According to the discharge summary, the patient's [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Don't Fret Over 26 and TC on the Same Claim
Question: Our state Medicaid carrier mandates that we bill duplicate charges, such as reporting 95904 [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Remember Carrier Guidelines for Memory Loss
Question: My neuropsychologist says we should code memory loss as 310.1 for Medicare patients and [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Talk Through 'Cognitive Deficits' Diagnosis
Question: Our neurologist is treating a patient for seizures that he considers -cognitive deficits.- The [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Don't Sweat Hyperhidrosis Diagnosis
Question: What is the appropriate diagnosis code for hyperhidrosis?
Wisconsin Subscriber Answer: Begin by checking [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Narrow Your Options for Post-Traumatic Headache
Question: What are the best diagnosis codes for an acute post-traumatic headache and a chronic [...] - READER QUESTION ~ 'Per Day' Refers to Calendar Days, Not Times
Question: A patient of ours was involved in an accident and came to our office [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Untangle Incident-to and TP Indicators
Question: How should I code incident-to when our physician is in the office? What modifier [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Bill Secondary for Patients With Part A Only
Question: Our physician saw a patient in the hospital. The patient had Medicare Part A [...]
