Diagnosis Coding Guidance for Hurricane Victims

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released “ICD-10-CM Coding Advice for Healthcare Encounters in Hurricane Aftermath” as a guide when coding healthcare encounters for individuals injured by a hurricane.

The document reviews the use of external cause of morbidity codes, which “should be assigned to identify the cause of the injury(ies) incurred as a result of the hurricane,” the CDC advises. Sequence external cause of morbidity codes after, and never in lieu of, principal diagnosis codes.

Z codes (other reasons for healthcare encounters) also may be appropriate to further explain the reasons for healthcare services.

Download the CDC document for more information about external cause of morbidity codes. See the ICD-10-CM Official Guidelines for Coding and Reporting for complete coding guidance.

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Renee Dustman

Executive Editor at AAPC

Renee Dustman, BS, AAPC MACRA Proficient, is an executive editor at AAPC. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Media Communications - Journalism. Renee has more than 20 years experience in print production and content management. Follow her on Twitter @dustman_aapc.

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