ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert
ICD-10 Offers More Than One GERD Dx
Question: A patient presented to our ED because of burning throat painand denied chest pain. The physician determined that the patient had heartburn caused by GERD. Which diagnoses codes should we report for the final diagnosis, as well as the signs and symptoms, and which procedure code should wesubmit? Codify Subscriber Answer: If your provider identifies GERD, you will need to assign one of the two ICD-10 codes assigned to this condition. In this scenario, as the provider confirmed a diagnosis of GERD, you would typically code it as K21.9 (Gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis). Signs and symptoms: If patient has heartburn and indigestion but GERD has not been specifically diagnosed, then the signs and symptoms would be coded. For example: Don't forget: Remember to report the most appropriate E/M code (99281-99285) for the ED visit.
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