Wiki Dexa Diagnosis Coding

[bosco]

Hi,

If the Dexa Assessment report reads "This patient is considered osteopenic according to World Health Organization criteria", is it correct to code osteopenia or not? We are having a discussion regarding the word "considered" and whether is should be under the same guideline when "possible" "consistent" are used.

thanks

 

[smdeking]

DEXA Coding

Yes, you can code the Osteopenia. The word "considered" in this case refers to the criteria that the World Health Organization places on the findings in a DEXA. In essence this means that if the World Health Organization considers this to be classified as Osteopenia based on findings then, it is fact. Code it.

 

[bosco]

That's how the department was coding the diagnosis under those guidelines. But at the last coder meeting the manager said it could not be coded because the word "considered" is the same as "consistent with" or "suggestion off". That sparked a debate but she will not budge or provide documentation to support the coding policy change.

So what do we do now??

thanks!