Wiki Benign Nevi Minor vs Stable Chronic

[kyshawest]

Coding with the new 2021 Documentation Guidelines there is conflicting information, would a benign nevi be a minor condition or a stable chronic condition?

 

[thomas7331]

It's really hard to say outside the context of the documentation of the encounter. E&M guidelines are just that - they are not rules that will cover every situation. Each encounter is unique and there will always be some judgment involved.

If it is simply mentioned incidentally by the provider and doesn't involve any treatment plan or ongoing monitoring, then I would treat it as a minor problem. If it is something that is being addressed in a plan of care and is being monitored over time to ensure that it is not growing or worsening, then I might consider it a chronic condition.