Wiki To 338.18 or not to 338.18

[karras]

I have a question for all of you acute pain coders. When your physicians provide postop blocks for postop pain do you use 338.18 as the diagnosis?

Thanks!
Kim

 

[saltman]

to 338.18 or not 338.18

Hey Kim, Yes i have been using th 338.18, along with the site of the surgery( pain) i.e. knee 719.46. have been getting paid!!
good luck, hope this helps!
Shirley Altman CPC
UFJPI Jacksonville Fl.

 

[boozaarn]

scenario related question

patient developed an acute femoral pain right after SI theraputic injections and recieved additional hip injection in recovery room.

is it

A- a post op pain (can it be that joint anesthetic will triger pain?)
or
B- transient femoral palsy - a complication?

 

[mitchellde]

If that is all you have for documentation then it is acute post op pain . As a coder you cannot diagnose the patient with a palsy.