Wiki complication icd-9 code

[BABS37]

If a patient has an arterial bleed from multiple lacerations to his hand, does the doc have to clarify it to be complicated in order to code it 882.1? Is that just 'assumed' it's delayed healing and is 882.1 or should I code it as 882.0 as unspecified?


Thank you!

 

[ajs]

If a patient has an arterial bleed from multiple lacerations to his hand, does the doc have to clarify it to be complicated in order to code it 882.1? Is that just 'assumed' it's delayed healing and is 882.1 or should I code it as 882.0 as unspecified?


Thank you!

You cannot assume anything, the doctor has to document the condition that makes the open wound complicated. Otherwise, your choice is unspecified.

 

[BABS37]

Thank you! That's what I thought. I just didn't want to argue with my remote coder