Obstructive chronic bronchitis covers more conditions than you might expect. Correctly reporting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obstructive bronchitis, and emphysema depends on your understanding the details in the patient’s medical record. Making sure the documentation supports the patient’s diagnosis and that…

Are you sure you’re up to date on the instructions for completing M1024? As a home health coder, work often centers on asking questions and finding answers. But the hunt for definitive answers to some coding-related questions can be frustrating. Our…

You choose your diagnosis codes based on the focus of care and the other pertinent diagnoses that impact the care you provide, but making certain you get the case mix points your agency deserves is likely always in the back…

With ICD-10’s 200 diabetes codes, just one code reports both the diabetes and the manifestation. The Oct. 1, 2013 deadline may seem like a distant date, but it’s not too early to begin preparing for ICD-10 implementation. Experts advise taking advantage…

Question: Our patient is receiving wound care for multiple pressure ulcers. He has a stage IV pressure ulcer on his sacrum, three stage I pressure ulcers on his upper back, and a stage III closed pressure ulcer on his ankle.…

Question: We have a patient who was admitted to service following a revision of a pedicle or flap graft (procedure code 86.75). At recertification, this wound is being called a dehisced surgical wound as it was at start of care. Prior…

Question: What is the ICD-9 code for “easy bruising”? - Illinois Subscriber Answer: Easy bruising is not a diagnosis, but rather a symptom. Therefore, the ICD-9 code depends on whether you can identify what’s causing the bruising. If a cause is identified, then code for…

Question: In the Nov. 2009 issue of Home Health ICD-9 Alert, there was a question regarding a kidney transplant patient. The patient was readmitted to the hospital with a retroperitoneal hematoma and then returned home. Why would you still list an…

You might be able to see down to the patient’s bone, but you can’t assume you have a trauma wound. Wound care coding has many nuances. Take our experts’ advice to ensure your diagnosis code choice most accurately represents the care…

4 questions show whether you need an ICD-9 brush-up. Keeping up with new codes, new guidelines, and more can keep you awfully busy. But in just a few minutes you can test your knowledge with this quiz on new ICD-9 codes…