Primary Care Coding Alert
Describe Abnormal Feces Fluidity With 787.91
Question: A patient says she has had chronic bowel problems for the last 10 years, with diarrhea or loose stool for two to three days in a row, then constipation for another week. Diagnostic tests are being ordered. Because the diagnostic tests are only covered for certain conditions, what diagnosis should we use? Colorado Subscriber Answer: Your ICD-9 report should include: 787.91 (Diarrhea), which describes the patient's abnormal frequency and fluidity of feces, and 564.0X (Constipation), which describes her subsequent decrease in frequency and/or passage of hard, dry stools. These ICD-9 codes do not specify chronicity but best describe her symptoms with codes that should justify testing to rule out conditions that can cause similar bowel patterns and be treated.
Primary Care Coding Alert
- Nosebleeds:
Stop Nosebleed Coding Problems by Understanding Extent of Repair
Checkpoint: You'll sometimes just need E/M codes, not 30901.A patient comes to your office with [...] - CCI 17.1:
Watch Involved Joints Before Coding Arthrotomy
Tip: Exploration and drainage codes override some biopsy or synovectomy choices.The latest edits from the [...] - ICD-10:
Big Changes Will Come for ADD/ADHD Coding Under ICD-10
Prepare for 5 ��" not 2 ��" code choices in 2013.You may know the diagnosis [...] - Collections:
Afraid You're Not Getting Paid On Time? Check Out Your State's Prompt Pay Laws
Medicare contractors must pay clean claims within 30 days, but private payers vary.It's a familiar [...] - You Be the Coder:
Best Injection Choice for Allergy Shot
Question:Our office orders allergy serum for patients, which the patients pay up for up front. [...] - Reader Questions:
Choose From 99393-99395 Based on Patient Age
Question:Our FP saw a patient for a sports physical clearance. During the visit, the patient [...] - Reader Questions:
Check Out G0372 for Power Wheelchair Evaluation
Question:What code applies to a face-to-face evaluation for a power wheelchair? Maryland Subscriber Answer:The best [...] - Reader Questions:
No MPFS RVW Means No Medicare Coverage
Question:Can you explain to me why some codes (such as 99172) do not have an [...] - Reader Questions:
Let Patient Deal With Auto Insurer for Migraine After MVA
Question:One of our patients has a 30-year history of migraines, but the migraines worsened after [...] - Reader Questions:
Billing for a TB Test and Its Follow-Up
Question:What is the correct way to code for Mantoux administration and follow-up? North Dakota Subscriber [...] - Reader Questions:
Describe Abnormal Feces Fluidity With 787.91
Question:A patient says she has had chronic bowel problems for the last 10 years, with [...] - Reader Questions:
Nurse Could Count for 98960 Professional
Question: Is it appropriate to use code 98960 for a nurse who completes extensive asthma [...] - Reader Questions:
Choose Q0112 for Medicare KOH Slide
Question:The FP scraped skin and prepared a KOH prep to look for infectious agents. How [...] - Reader Questions:
Subcu Foot Splinter Removal Could Be 28190
Question:The physician removed a 1.5 cm splinter from beneath the dermis of the patient's foot. [...]
