Wiki Need help coding diabetic retinopathy.

[mhammy67]

Hi all, I am fairly new at this, so I appreciate your help. I work in an ambulatory surgery center.

DX: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy with early traction retinal detachment of the macular.

I coded diabeties (250.50), PDR (362.02) then Tractional Detatchment 361.81 in that order. I was told by the pt., the claim was paid less because of the order. He state the insurance company changed the order and will now pay more towards the claim.

I think what he is trying to say is the Traction Detatchment should be coded first, but I don't know.

Any input would be helpful as to which code is suppose to be first.

Thanks

 

[nladow]

Refer to your coding guidelines in the front of your ICD-9 book Chapter 3. You should always code the 250.XX first so you pt is crazy if they told you otherwise. You'll find the answer to that in that same chapter, point 4! Good Luck new coder!