Wiki guidelines for DM coding

[dodietenney@yahoo.com]

ICD-10 coding guidelines: I was told that you could assume casual relationship between DM and neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy. Has anyone else heard this and if so where can I find the guidelines that state this? ex: proivder documents member has dx of DM, neuropathy. would you code this as E11.40?

 

[tag60]

Although these may be common complications of diabetes, you cannot code them as such unless the provider states a causal link between diabetes and the condition ("due to, caused by, secondary to, with"). You can check ICD-10 Chapter 4 guidelines and you will find no mention of assuming such a relationship as you describe. This article from AAPC is very helpful:

https://www.aapc.com/blog/27893-identify-causal-relationship-links-in-diabetes/