Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert
YOU BE THE CODER ~ Late Effects Might Affect Aphasia Coding
Published on Mon Jan 01, 2007
Question: A patient came to our neurologist because she occasionally has a problem finding words for some things. She is not expressively aphasic. What diagnosis should I code?
Illinois Subscriber
Answer: Ask your neurologist whether 784.3 (Aphasia) or 784.69 (Other symbolic dysfunction; other) are accurate diagnoses. If late effects of a stroke or other cardiovascular disease cause the patient's problem, ask your neurologist about 438.11 (Speech and language deficits; aphasia) or 438.19 (Other speech and language deficits).
If your physician isn't comfortable with these diagnoses, look to something more general like 784.5 (Other speech disturbance).
Other Articles in this issue of
Neurology & Pain Management Coding Alert
- Test Your Review-of-Systems Knowledge for More Accurate Claims
2 expert scenarios help hone your E/M coding skills Before you report any E/M procedures, [...] - Double-Check Dx for Diabetic Neuropathy to Avoid Denials
Follow these 3 steps to start a successful claim Almost half of diabetes patients have [...] - The 'Unlikely' Will Happen -- MUEs Are on Their Way
CMS delivers new category of long-promised edits One change to your coding in 2007 is [...] - YOU BE THE CODER ~ Late Effects Might Affect Aphasia Coding
Question: A patient came to our neurologist because she occasionally has a problem finding words [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Get Back to Basics Before Appealing NCS Denial
Question: Our neurologist conducted a nerve conduction study on a patient's upper limbs one day, [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Maintenance Coding Hinges on Type of Pump
Question: What code should I report when our physician analyzes a patient's implantable/programmable pump but [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Check 780.39 to Support Epilepsy Monitoring
Question: What is the most accurate diagnosis for epilepsy monitoring?
Michigan Subscriber Answer: Report 95951 [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Causalgia Options Might Fit Neuropathic Pain
Question: My neurologist often documents -neuropathic pain- as the patient's primary diagnosis. How should I [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Look to 310 and 331 for Mild Cognitive Impairment
Question: What diagnoses do carriers usually accept for mild cognitive impairment?
Tennessee Subscriber Answer: Codes [...] - Factor in All Diagnoses With Consult
Question: Our neurologist performed a consult associated with diagnosing metastatic brain cancer, seizure and progressive [...] - READER QUESTION ~ Meet the 4 R's Before Billing Consults
Question: My physician is being referred patients for -consults- by hospital physicians. When I bill, [...]
View All
