Wiki Sequencing-for surgery clearance

I would put the primary reason for the visit first and then other DX. Remember the rules about V codes and sequencing.
 
If the patient comes in for pain management and for surgery clearance. How would you sequence the diagnosis?

You wouldn't...per ICD-9 guidelines (Chapter specific guiidelines, Chapter 18, section 13, "Routine and Administrative examinations"):

"Pre-operative examination and pre-procedural laboratory examination V codes are only for use in those situations when a patient is being cleared for a procedure or surgery and no treatment is given."

Since the patient is also being treated for pain management, the pain management diagnosis would supercede the pre-op exam diagnosis - you wouldn't report both, in this situation. Hope that helps! ;)
 
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