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ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

Reader Question:

Be Alert When Assigning Consciousness Codes

Published on Sat Nov 17, 2007

Question: The ED physician saw a patient and documented the reason for the visit as -Episodes of abnormality of consciousness of uncertain etiology.- Which ICD-9 codes apply to this condition? Indiana Subscriber
Answer: For this diagnosis, report 780.02 (Transient alteration of awareness). According to the ICD-9 manual, 780.02 includes -temporary, recurring spells of reduced consciousness,- which sounds as if it fits what your patient experienced during her visit. If the patient states that she actually went unconscious during the episode, you should instead report 780.09 (Alteration of consciousness; other).
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