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Test your knowledge: Coding specificity – July 2017

July 18, 2017

Code the following scenarios per ICD-10 coding conventions and guidelines. Answers are in bolded in green.

Scenario 1:

Major depressive disorders are commonly miscoded and not taken to the highest level of specificity. Correct code assignment of major depressive disorders is based on the number and severity of symptoms (mild, moderate, severe) and status (e.g., psychotic features, in remission, recurrent).

Hint: Refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM-5) for diagnostic criteria in assigning severity.

John presents to the office to obtain a refill for his Prozac® (Fluoxetine) medication. He has been on the medication for two years. John has diminished interest and pleasure in most of his daily activities and expressed his loss of energy and fatigue.

Choose the appropriate code (answer is bolded in green):

  1. F32.0 Major depressive disorder, single episode, mild
  2. F32.9 Major depressive disorder, single episode, unspecified
  3. F33.1 Major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate
  4. F33.42 Major depressive disorder, recurrent, in full remission

Scenario 2:

Polyneuropathies are classified in various ways, such as by known cause, presentation, and class of polyneuropathy.

The medical record for James documents the following symptoms: feeling of burning and tingling sensations in his legs. He has been experiencing this for several months. He is now experiencing the same sensation in his arms. He describes the sensations as ?pins and needles.? James indicates he experiences muscle weakness and spasms in those areas as well. During James?s history review, it is determined the he abuses alcohol and has been for some time. The provider?s assessment of James is polyneuropathy.

Choose the appropriate code (answer is bolded in green):

  1. G60.3 Idiopathic progressive neuropathy
  2. G62.1 Alcoholic polyneuropathy
  3. G62.9 Polyneuropathy, unspecified
  4. G63 Polyneuropathy in diseases classified elsewhere

Scenario 3:

COPD is a progressive lung disease in which obstruction in the flow of air disturbs the normal breathing pattern. COPD includes pathologies such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. ICD-10 codes for COPD are more specific and allow for clear description of the disease as either an uncomplicated case or in acute exacerbation.

Sam is not responding to his asthma treatment; therefore, his wife rushed him to the emergency room. He was ultimately admitted and received additional treatment. His record indicates a diagnosis of moderate persistent asthma with status asthmaticus and acute exacerbation of COPD.

Choose the appropriate code (answer is bolded in green):

  1. J44.1 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation
  2. J44.1 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with (acute) exacerbation, J45.42 Moderate persistent asthma with status asthmaticus
  3. J44.9 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified
  4. J44.9 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified; J45.41 Moderate persistent asthma with (acute) exacerbation

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