Advanced Search

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

You Be the Coder:

Anemia,Gastritis as Indicators for EGD

Published on Sat Jun 01, 2002

Test your coding knowledge. Determine how you would code this situation before looking at the box below for the answer.
Question: An EGD (43235) was performed on a Medicare patient with severe anemia. Because no ICD-9 code exists for severe anemia, we reported 285.9 (Anemia, unspecified). Our Medicare carrier told us that 285.9 is not "medically necessary" and denied the claim.

The gastroenterologist found mild gastritis but did not indicate that it was a reason for the severe anemia. Which diagnosis code should we have used? Maryland Subscriber  
You’ve reached your limit of free articles. Already a subscriber? Log in.
Not a subscriber? Subscribe today to continue reading this article. Plus, you’ll get:
  • Simple explanations of current healthcare regulations and payer programs
  • Real-world reporting scenarios solved by our expert coders
  • Industry news, such as MAC and RAC activities, the OIG Work Plan, and CERT reports
  • Instant access to every article ever published in your eNewsletter
  • 6 annual AAPC-approved CEUs*
  • The latest updates for CPT®, ICD-10-CM, HCPCS Level II, NCCI edits, modifiers, compliance, technology, practice management, and more
*CEUs available with select eNewsletters.

Other Articles in this issue of

Gastroenterology Coding Alert

View All