Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert
Connecting Immunosuppression and RA? Not so Fast
Question: Notes indicate a patient is suffering from immunosuppression due to the rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Can I report ICD-10 codes M06.9 and D89.89 together for this patient? AAPC Forum Participant Answer: Both M06.9 (Rheumatoid arthritis, unspecified) and D89.89 (Other specified disorders involving the immune mechanism, not elsewhere classified) can technically be used together if the patient suffers immunosuppression that’s related to the RA. However, you will need more information from your provider before you can document a connection. Why? ICD-10 Official Guidelines, Section I.A.15, states “for conditions not specifically linked by these relational terms in the classification or when a guideline requires that a linkage between two conditions be explicitly documented, provider documentation must link the conditions in order to code them as related.” Takeaway: This means you cannot reasonably assume the immunosuppression is an inherent part of the RA, and you will need provider documentation to establish that connection.
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