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ED Coding and Reimbursement Alert

You Be the Coder:

You Might Not Need Hypoglycemia Code if Patient Has Diabetes

Published on Mon Aug 06, 2007

Question: A patient with type I diabetes mellitus participates in strenuous activity and is admitted to the ED with a blood sugar of 26. He is still conscious and he is treated with fruit juice and glucose monitoring until normal levels are achieved. The discharge diagnosis is hypoglycemia. Should I use 251.2 as the primary or the second diagnosis? Texas Subscriber

Answer: No, says Sheri Bernard, CPC, CPC-H, CPC-P, who shared this scenario with attendees at the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) National Conference in Seattle. The proper coding is 250.81 (Diabetes with other specified manifestations; type I [juvenile type], not stated as uncontrolled). Hypoglycemia and hypoglycemic shock are inclusion terms under 250.8x, so you don't need to report hypoglycemia (251.2) as a diagnosis at all.
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