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Wiki % on burn codes

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sherlock0272

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In a recent article in coders edge, "Account for percentage and depth when coding burns", I 'm not clear on the lack of use for a fifth digit on code 948.1. I thought that 0-9% is a fifth digit of "0". I did not see any updates on the CMS web site and the code 948.1 calls for a fifth digit in the ICD 9 CM manual. Can anyone clairify this for me or is this a billing guideline over a "coding " guideline?
Thanks:
 
So even the the coding manual calls for a 5 th digit, and 0 is clearly within the range of the code, we do not use a 0 to represent 0% 3rd degree? That seems a little strange. Is there a guideline that says that? I have always thought that a red dot means need the next digit. Would it be wrong to use the fifth digit or just not required?
 
Need the 5th digit for 948.10

I disagree with the explanation in Coder's Edge.

You definitely DO need the 5th digit for 948.1 ... which would be a 0 (to signify less than 10% TBSA is third degree burn).

For 946.2 you would NOT need a 5th digit.

Hope that helps.

F Tessa Bartels, CPC, CEMC
 
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